THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL 


AUSTEN  K.  DE  BLOIS 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
RIVERSIDE 


BENJAMIN    SHURTLEFF. 


THE 


Pioneer  School 


A  History  of  Shurtleff  College, 
the  Oldest  Educational  Institu- 
tion in  the  West  :  :  :  :  : 


BY 


AUSTEN  KENNEDY  DE  BLOIS,  PH.D.,  LL.D. 

» » • 

PRESIDENT  OF  SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE,  1894-1899 


Fleming  H.  Revell  Company 


Chicago 


New  York 
1900 


Toronto 


Copyright   1900 
By  Fleming   H.   Revell  Company 


To 

The  Memory 
of 

JOHN  MASON  PECK, 

The  Pioneer  Preacher  and  Teacher 

Who  laid  the  foundation   of  Shurtleff  College, 

and  of 

WASHINGTON  and  WARREN  LEVERETT, 

Those  two  scholarly  and  saintly  men 

Who  developed  year  by  year  in  the  consecration  of  love 

The  rich  inner  life  and  spirit  of  the  School, 

This  Record 

is 
Inscribed. 


PREFACE. 


Much  is  said  in  our  day  of  "the  passing  of  the  smaller  college." 
It  seems  to  be  pretty  well  agreed  among  educators  that  the  day 
of  its  usefulness  is  done.  I  can  hardly  bring  myself  to  share  such 
a  view.  Considering  the  commanding  position  and  rapidly 
growing  power  of  the  great  university  establishments,  the  func- 
tion of  the  denominational  college  cannot,  in  the  very  nature  of 
the  case,  be  one  of  very  large  influence  or  importance  in  the  com- 
ing time.  Nevertheless,  as  a  centre  for  Christian  activities,  as  a 
local  rallying  point  for  educational  forces  and  ideals,  and  as  a 
place  of  resort  for  students  of  slender  means  and  limited  op- 
portunities, there  certainly  still  remain  for  it  a  purpose  and  a 
mission. 

Apart  from  these  questions,  however,  the  chief  interest  of  the 
smaller  denominational  college  consists  in  its  heritage  of  honor- 
able history.  It  was  my  privilege  for  a  period  of  five  years  to 
direct  the  affairs  of  one  of  these  worthy  institutions.  It 
is  today  neither  heavily  endowed  nor  completely  equipped,  yet  it 
is  a  venerable  institution,  judged  by  the  standard  of  age  in  the 
West;  it  has  rich  and  fragrant  associations  for  a  multitude  of 
old  students,  serving  now  in  many  places  and  in  many  profes- 
sions; and  during  its  three  and  seventy  years  of  history  it  has 
numbered  a  host  of  rare  and  noble  souls  in  the  ranks  of  its 
teachers  and  friends.  The  story  of  this  pioneer  school  I  have 
written  here. 

The  work  has  been  a  labor  of  love,  for  I  have  been  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  task  of  tracing  through  the  records  the  develop- 
ing life  of  the  college.  A  very  large  amount  of  time  has  been 
spent  in  careful  investigation  of  printed  and  written  records, 
newspaper  files,  and  letters  and  other  documents,  in  order  that 
the  history  might  not  only  be  complete  in  a  general  and  super- 


PREFACE. 

ficial  way,  but  that  it  might  possess  a  real  historic  value  for  all 
friends  of  the  College  and  of  Christian  education.  I  am  in- 
debted to  the  Reverend  A.  A.  Kendrick,  LL.D.,  the  president  of 
Shurtleff  for  more  than  twenty  years,  for  his  courtesy  in  reading 
and  re-reading  the  manuscript,  and  suggesting  certain  changes 
and  additions.  Not  simply  in  the  compilation  of  this  volume,  but 
in  many  matters  of  administrative  detail  in  the  course  of  the 
last  five  years,  I  have  been  favored  by  Dr.  Kendrick's  helpful 
counsel,  never  obtrusively  offered,  yet  always  cheerfully  given. 

The  manuscript  has  also  been  carefully  examined  by  Mr.  H.  M. 
Carr,  of  Alton,  a  student  of  Shurtleff  in  the  sixties,  and  now  a 
member  of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  by  Mr.  John  Leverett,  the 
son  of  Professor  Warren  Leverett.  Dr.  Justus  Bulkley  read  all 
of  the  earlier  chapters  a  few  weeks  before  his  death,  and  gave  me 
considerable  information  that  I  could  have  obtained  from  no 
other  source.  The  kindness  of  these  friends  I  have  deeply  ap- 
preciated. It  is  fitting  that  I  should  refer  also  to  the  recent 
action  of  the  members  of  the  board  of  trustees,  indorsing  the 
work  by  a  cordial  and  unanimous  vote,  and  making,  most  gen- 
erously and  unexpectedly,  a  large  appropriation  from  their 
funds  to  assist  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  publication.  This 
action  is  quite  in  keeping  with  the  many  other  favors  which  I 
have  enjoyed  at  their  hands  from  time  to  time.  The  president 
of  the  board,  Dr.  Myron  W.  Haynes,  of  Chicago,  has  been  espe- 
cially kind,  and  has  given  me  valuable  aid  in  the  work  of  com- 
pilation. 

If  those  who  love  the  little  college  by  the  Mississippi,  if  those 
who  think  of  "old  Shurtleff"  tenderly,  and  speak  her  name  rever- 
ently, will  welcome  this  record  as  an  aid  to  memory  or  a  spur  to 
loyalty,  I  shall  be  abundantly  repaid  for  the  labor  of  setting  to- 
gether the  scattered  narratives  of  her  life-history. 

AUSTEN  K.  DE  BLOIS. 
ELGIN,  ILL.,  April  9,  1900. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  I.  EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS  IN  ILLINOIS n 

Early  settlements — Social  and  religious  conditions — 
Pioneer  preachers  and  churches — John  Mason  Peck — 
Establishment  of  the  Western  Mission — Mr.  Peck's  jour- 
ney— St.  Louis  in  1818 — The  First  Baptist  Church  beyond 
the  Mississippi — General  work  in  education — Alton  in 
1819 — Mr.  Peck's  removal  to  Illinois — His  mission  to 
New  England — The  birth  of  the  Pioneer  School 

CHAP.  II.  THE  ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY,  1827-1831 29 

The  conference  of  organization — Building  and  preparing 
— The  school  opened — Joshua  Bradley — The  school  and 
its  scholars — Mr.  Peck's  varied  labors — Rock  Spring :  a 
student's  view — The  seminary  suspended 

CHAP.  III.  THE  ALTON  SEMINARY,  1832-1835 48 

Better  prospects — A  strategic  location — Principal  Hubbel 
Loomis — An  important  conference — Transfer  of  property 
— Beginning  at  Alton — John  Russell — A  charter  with 
restrictions — Academic  Hall — Bela  Jacobs'  report — Mr. 
Peck's  proposal — The  work  of  Alton  Seminary 

CHAP.  IV.  ALTON  COLLEGE,  1835-1836 65 

A  new  charter — Two  schools  with  one  head — Mr.  Peck's 
embassy — In  New  York — In  New  England — A  notable 
gift — Dr.  Benjamin  Shurtleff — The  Pioneer's  return — 
Lewis  Colby — Washington  Leverett — Unfulfilled  plans 

CHAP.  V.  THE  EARLY  YEARS  OF  SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE,  1836- 
1841 78 

The  rise  of  other  Baptist  schools — The  Illinois  Education 
Society — The    first    faculty    meeting — School    routine — 
Wanted  :  a  president — A  lax  official — Plans  for  a  build- 
ing— College  and  academy — Principal  Warren  Leverett — 
Two    schools    become    one — The    medical    department — 
Found :  a  president — Gideon  B.  Perry  and  his  ways 
CHAP.  VI.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  ADIEL  SHERWOOD,  1841-1845.     97 
The  new  president — The  college  without  and  within — A 
literary   society  —  Degrees   and   honors  —  Hard  times  — 


CONTENTS. 

Death  of  Professor  Newman — Failing  numbers — Dr. 
Sherwood  resigns 

CHAP.  VII.  TIMES  OF  PERIL  AND  UNCERTAINTY,  1845-1850. .   104 
A   small    faculty — Removal   of   Dr.    Edwards — Isaac   D. 
Newell  as  college  agent — The  class  of  1847 — Prosperous 
times — College    societies — Rumors    many   and   grave — A 
conference  of  enquiry — The  skies  clear 

CHAP.  VIII.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  NORMAN  N.  WOOD,  1851- 

1855 H3 

Dr.  Wood :  his  life  and  character — Shurtleff's  increase  in 
numbers — Its  inner  development — President  Wood  dis- 
covers Elijah  Gove — The  advent  of  rival  schools — Ill- 
advised  utterances — Faculty  changes — The  dormitory 
finished — A  strict  administration — College  and  people — 
Agency  work — Trouble  in  the  faculty — Theological  com- 
plications— The  "Northerners" 

CHAP.  IX.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  DANIEL  READ,  1856-1865 133 

A  strong  staff  of  teachers — Dr.  Peck's  last  board  meeting 
— The  adventures  of  Horace  Pierce — Mr.  Field  as  agent — 
Dr.  Steenstra's  tribute — The  religious  life — The  war  and 
its  demands — Enlargement :  spiritual  and  scholastic — 
Planning  amid  perils — An  urgent  appeal — Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gove  come  to  the  rescue — Their  noble  gift 

CHAP.  X.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  DANIEL  READ,  1865-1870....  154 
A  corner-stone — Repairs — Financial  ups  and  downs — 
Agents  many — Almira  College — The  education  of  women 
— Signs  of  progress — A  resignation  and  a  protest — The 
Leveretts'  withdrawal — The  "Band  of  Faith" — President 
Read  resigns — His  later  life 

CHAP.  XL  THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF,  1827-1839 172 

Religious  leaders  in  the  pioneer  days — Aims  of  the  Rock 
Spring  School — The  battle  for  ministerial  culture — The 
"hardshells" :  their  words  and  methods — A  missionary 
convention  formed — Its  plea  for  an  educated  ministry — 
The  Alton  Theological  Seminary — Mr.  Colby's  excellent 
work — The  Illinois  Baptist  Education  Society  organized 
— Aid  societies,  ancient  and  modern 

CHAP.  XII.  THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF,  1839-1899 193 

Lack  of  leaders  in  theological  work — The  Bible  in  the 
curriculum — Ruinous  inactivity — An  embassy  to  Mis- 
souri— The  period  of  silence — Dr.  Read  the  champion 


CONTENTS. 

of  theological  instruction — Effect  of  the  new  impulse — A 
strong  school — Financial  plans — An  overturning — Dr. 
Pattison — Dr.  Mitchell — Theology  in  later  years 

CHAP.  XIII.  TRANSITION  YEARS,  1870-1872 210 

"Gove  University" — Tokens  of  progress — Co-education — 
President  Kendrick — The  inauguration — The  Commence- 
ment festivities  of  1872 

CHAP.  XIV.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  ADIN  A.  KENDRICK,  1872- 
1877 219 

The  loss  of  two  faithful  friends — A  notable  class — Inno- 
vations— Kendall  Institute — The  enrollment  grows — Chi- 
cago University  —  A  lecture  course  —  Renovations  — 
Faculty  changes — Spiritual  blessings — The  "Centennial 
offering" — Dr.  Johnson  and  his  great  work 

CHAP.  XV.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  ADIN  A.  KENDRICK,  1877- 
1889 241 

The  financial  outlook — Hard-working  teachers — Student 
government — Ups  and  downs — The  school  discipline — 
Town  and  gown — The  new  chapel — Deficits — Exit  the 
Chicago  University — The  College  Review — The  library — 
Class  day — The  college  band — Martha  Wood  Cottage 

CHAP.  XVI.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  ADIN  A.  KENDRICK,  1889- 

1894 264 

The  Ladies'  Education  Society — Numerical  growth — 
Washington  Leverett — The  Leveretts  and  their  work — A 
tragic  event — :Beginnings  of  a  laboratory — The  new 
gymnasium — Losses  by  death — The  pro  rata  system — 
Orlando  L.  Castle — The  "New  Endowment" 

CHAP.  XVII.  THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  AUSTEN  K.  DE  BLOIS,  1894- 
1899 278 

State  schools — Buildings  and  grounds — The  Lend-a-Hand 
Society — Charles  Fairman — Policy  of  the  new  adminis- 
tration— Financial  readjustment — The  faculty  strength- 
ened— The  seventieth  commencement — The  teaching  force 
— Chapel  lectures — Athletics — Chicago  Alumni  Associa- 
tion— A  financial  campaign — History  of  Alpha  Zeta — 
Bible  study  introduced — Success  of  "The  Review" — 
Growth :  scholastic  and  numerical — Justus  Bulkley — Place 
and  worth  of  the  smaller  college 
APPENDICES  309 


CHAPTER  I. 

EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS  IN  ILLINOIS. 

Early  Settlements — Social  and  religious  conditions — Pioneer  preachers  and  churches 
— John  Mason  Peck — Establishment  of  the  Western  Mission — Mr.  Peck's 
journey — St.  Louis  in  1818 — The  First  Baptist  Church  beyond  the  Mis- 
sissippi— General  work  in  education — Alton  in  1819 — Mr.  Peck's  removal 
to  Illinois — His  Mission  to  New  England — The  birth  of  the  Pioneer  School. 

While  the  people  of  the  East  were  contending  to  the 
death  for  larger  rights  and  the  boon  of  free  and  inde- 
pendent sovereignty,  the  West  lay  still  untraversed  and 
unknown.  A  few  French  families,  whose  ancestors  had 
emigrated  from  Canada,  were  living  in  the  squalid  vil- 
lages of  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia,  in  the  southern  portion 
of  the  country  which  afterward  became  the  territory  of 
Illinois.  Disputes  and  battles  between  French  and  In- 
dians, and  French  and  English,  alone  marked  the  pas- 
sage of  the  years  for  upward  of  a  century.  The  Fourth 
of  July  has  a  double  significance  for  every  son  of  Illi- 
nois, for  on  that  memorable  day,  exactly  two  years  after 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  given  to  the 
world,  the  gallant  soldier,  George  Rogers  Clark,  captured 
the  village  of  Kaskaskia,  and,  without  losing  a  man  or 
firing  a  gun,  took  possession  of  the  Illinois  country  in 
the  name  of  Virginia  and  the  Republic.  The  fair  and 
fertile  land  that  lies  between  the  Ohio  and  the  Missis- 
sippi became  then  a  part  of  the  Northwest  Territory. 

In  the  years  that  followed  a  few  scattered  settlements 
were  made  by  emigrants  from  Kentucky  and  Virginia. 
At  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  the  population  of 

ii 


12  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

this  region  was  less  than  two  hundred.  The  moral  and 
social  condition  of  the  people  was  disheartening.  The 
refining  agencies  of  education  and  culture  were  un- 
known. The  influence  of  religion  was  entirely  absent. 
There  were  no  Protestant  churches  and  no  Protestant 
Christians.  In  the  United  States  at  that  time  there  were 
about  fifty  thousand  Baptist  church  members,  less  than 
one-half  as  many  as  are  resident  today  in  the  state  of 
Illinois.  There  were  only  two  Baptist  churches  in  the 
entire  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  they  were  small  and 
weak.  In  1787  James  Smith,  a  Baptist  preacher,  came 
over  from  Kentucky  and  made  a  tour  among-  the  settle- 
ments. His  visit  resulted  in  several  conversions,  and 
thus  the  foundations  of  Protestant  Christianity  were  laid 
in  this  section  of  the  country.  Twice  did  Elder  Smith 
return  to  the  infant  interest,  and  then  he  was  captured 
by  the  Indians.  The  people  to  whom  he  had  preached 
evinced  a  genuine  gratitude  by  raising  one  hundred  and 
seventy  dollars  and  securing  his  release  by  payment  of 
this  amount  as  a  ransom.  Several  years  later  the  converts 
in  Illinois  were  visited  by  another  pioneer  preacher  from 
Kentucky,  Elder  Josiah  Dodge,  who  baptized  James 
Lemen,  Sr.,  his  wife,  John  Gibons,  and  Isaac  Enochs,  in 
February,  1794.  On  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  May,  two 
years  later,  the  New  Design  Baptist  Church  was  organ- 
ized with  a  membership  of  thirty-eight. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  the  Northwest 
Territory,  embracing  the  entire  domain  north  of  the  Ohio 
river,  had  a  population  of  fifty  thousand,  and  the  coun- 
try now  known  as  the  state  of  Illinois  contained  about 
three  thousand  inhabitants.  Not  more  than  one  hundred 
of  these  were  communicants  in  Baptist  churches,  and  only 
three  regular  churches  existed,  the  largest  being  that  at 
New  Design.  In  1807  five  churches  formed  themselves 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  13 

into  an  association  called  the  "Illinois  Union."  This 
body  soon  dissolved  on  account  of  disagreement  with 
reference  to  the  question  of  slavery.  On  all  other  *points 
of  doctrine  and  practice  they  remained  in  full  accord 
with  each  other  for  a  time  at  least.  Those  who  favored 
slavery  reorganized  themselves  into  the  "Illinois  United 
Baptist  Association,"  the  three  associations  which  were 
hostile  to  the  South  assuming  the  title  of  "Friends  of 
Humanity." 

The  growth  of  the  churches  was  not  rapid,  for  the  con- 
dition of  the  country  presented  obstacles  to  every  sort  of 
progress.  The  strong  tide  of  emigration  from  the  South 
and  East  was  just  beginning  to  set  in.  The  marauding 
spirit  of  the  Indians,  the  large  tracts  of  uncultivated  land 
which  separated  the  different  communities,  the  lack  of 
schools  and  general  culture,  and  the  thousand  inconven- 
iences of  pioneer  life,  retarded  the  development  of  relig- 
ious work  among  the  people.  In  1819  the  United  Baptist 
Association  numbered  ten  churches  and  one  hundred  and 
ninety-four  members,  while  the  reports  of  the  "Friends  of 
Humanity"  showed  four  churches  and  one  hundred  and 
eighty-six  members  within  the  boundaries  of  their  or- 
ganization. At  this  critical  time,  when  many  forces  were 
co-operating  to  develop  a  distinctive  type  of  social  life  and 
character,  the  power  of  a  strong  and  splendid  personality 
gave  a  new  impetus  to  the  work  of  the  denomination  in 
the  West. 

John  Mason  Peck  was  born  in  the  town  of  Litchfield, 
in  Connecticut,  on  the  3ist  of  October,  1789.  The  days 
of  his  childhood  and  youth  passed  uneventfully.  He 
attended  the  common  schools  and  obtained  there  a  scanty 
and  superficial  education.  His  parents  and  friends  were 
Congregationalists,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  he 
united  with  the  Baptist  church  at  New  Dunham  in  the 


14  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

state  of  New  York,  whither  he  and  his  young  wife  had 
just  removed  their  residence.  Immediately  the  idea  of 
the  ministry  took  possession  of  his  thoughts  and  he  soon 
began  preaching  to  feeble  churches  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  home.  His  vigorous  and  somewhat  restive  disposi- 
tion led  him  to  undertake  evangelistic  tours,  even  while 
he  was  nominally  a  settled  pastor,  and  gradually  within 
his  mind  there  grew  and  strengthened  an  intense  desire 
for  labor  in  a  wider  field.  By  contact  and  correspondence 
with  that  remarkable  man,  Luther  Rice,  he  found  fuel  for 
inspiration.  He  felt  keenly  the  need  of  careful  training 
and  thorough  preparation  for  the  service  to  which  he 
had  now  resolved  to  dedicate  his  life.  So  though  many 
obstacles  opposed  him  he  resigned  his  pastorate  in  order 
to  enter  upon  a  course  of  study.  In  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, under  the  guidance  of  the  eminent  Dr.  Staugh- 
ton,  he  carried  forward  an  extended  course  of  reading 
and  study,  residing  in  the  home  of  his  teacher,  and  giv- 
ing his  days,  and  even  his  nights  as  well,  to  an  ardent  and 
consecrated  improvement  of  the  opportunity  which  his 
own  determined  energy  had  created.  In  this  embryo 
theological  seminary  he  remained  for  exactly  one  year. 
During  this  time  he  enjoyed  the  friendship  of  many  of  the 
denominational  leaders  of  the  day,  and  came  into  imme- 
diate relations  with  new  and  suggestive  influences.  His 
zeal  grew  more  intense  and  fervid,  while  his  dreams  of 
missionary  service  became  more  vivid  and  more  real. 
His  mind  for  several  years  had  been  to  some  extent  occu- 
pied with  the  needs  of  the  vast  and  newly-settled  sections 
of  his  own  country;  and  in  the  progress  of  that  eventful 
year  of  study  the  decision  was  finally  made,  and  he 
resolved  to  dedicate  his  entire  life  to  labor  in  the  West. 

The  Triennial  Convention,  which  cared  for  the  foreign 
missionary  interests  of  the  Baptist  body  in  the  United 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  15 

States,  met  at  Philadelphia  in  May,  1817.  The  records 
of  this  meeting  will  be  noteworthy  forever  in  the  annals 
of  American  Baptists.  During  its  sessions  the  matter 
of  the  establishment  of  a  "domestic  mission''  in  the  Mis- 
souri territory  came  under  discussion,  largely  as  a  result 
of  the  persistency  of  Mr.  Peck  and  his  friends.  Before 
the  adjournment  a  most  important  step  was  taken.  The 
western  mission  was  established,  and  Messrs.  Peck  and 
Welch,  in  answer  to  their  own  urgent  request,  were 
chosen  as  its  pioneer  missionaries.  With  special  serv- 
ices of  prayer  and  praise  these  men  of  God  were  given 
to  the  work.  Among  those  who  were  present  at  the 
solemn  exercises  of  dedication  were  Dr.  Furman,  the 
founder  of  Furman  University,  who  preached  from  the 
text,  ''Separate  me  Saul  and  Barnabas  for  the  work  where- 
unto  I  have  called  them ;"  Rev.  Jesse  Mercer,  the  founder 
of  Mercer  University,  who  gave  the  charge  to  the 
young  men;  and  Luther  Rice,  the  indefatigable  sec- 
retary and  financial  agent  of  the  Columbian  Univer- 
sity at  Washington.  Dr.  Staughton  of  Philadelphia, 
Mr.  Peck's  counsellor  and  teacher,  afterward  president 
of  the  Columbian  University,  gave  the  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowship to  the  candidates.  Thus  with  prayer  and  admo- 
nition,' in  humility  and  faith,  the  Baptist  missionary  enter- 
prise in  the  far  West  was  inaugurated. 

The  work  of  education  has  always  been  linked  by  a  bond 
indissoluble  with  the  highest  forms  of  missionary  activity. 
The  establishment  of  schools  has  been  a  part  of  the  plan  of 
every  home  or  foreign  missionary  who  has  accomplished 
a  large  and  successful  work.  In  one  of  his  earliest  let- 
ters to  Luther  Rice,  Mr.  Peck  wrote:  "Is  it  contem- 
plated to  form  a  permanent  mission  station  in  the  West  ?" 
and  "Would  it  be  best  to  have  schools  connected  with 
our  mission  ?"  He  thus  set  forth  clearly  his  own  concep- 


1 6  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

tion  of  the  value  of  educational  agencies  and  their  intimate 
connection  with  missionary  activities.  Both  of  these 
queries  Mr.  Rice  answered  with  an  emphatic  "Yes." 

Although  John  M.  Peck,  at  "the  age  of  eighteen,  found 
it  a  laborious  task  to  read  or  write,  and  although  his 
acquaintance  with  academic  and  theological  instruction 
was  limited  to  the  few  months  which  he  had  spent  under 
the  tutelage  of  Dr.  Staughton,  he  applied  himself  so 
devotedly  to  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  that  in  later 
years  he  received  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divin- 
ity from  Harvard  University,  the  most  venerable  institu- 
tion of  learning  in  the  country,  in  recognition  of  his 
distinguished  attainments.  He  clearly  apprehended  the 
inestimable  value  of  a  higher  education,  and  did  not 
hesitate  to  express  his  strong  convictions  on  the  subject. 
In  February,  1819,  soon  after  his  arrival  in  the  West, 
he  wrote :  "It  had  been  in  our  plan  at  first,  even  before 
we  left  Philadelphia  for  this  region,  to  establish  a  semi- 
nary for  the  common  and  higher  branches  of  education ; 
and  especially  for  the  training  of  school  teachers  and 
aiding  of  preachers  now  in  office,  or  who  may  hereafter 
be  brought  forth  in  the  schools.  The  education  of  the 
ministry  is  of  primary  importance  in  all  new  countries." 
These  sentences  embody  the  worthy  and  workable  ideals 
with  which  the  sturdy  young  warrior  entered  upon  his 
life-long  campaign.1 

It  was  a  period  of  intellectual  quickening  among  the 
Baptists  of  the  older  States.  Brown  University  was 
the  only  institution  claiming  college  rank,  but  beginnings 
had  been  made  in  other  parts  of  the  Union.  "The  Lit- 
erary and  Theological  Institution  of  Maine"  commenced 
regular  instruction  in  July,  1818,  under  the  direction 
of  Professor  Chapin.  Just  one  year  previous  the  Baptist 

'See  also  American  Baptist  Magazine  and  Missionary  Intelligencer ,  New  Series  ; 
Volume  i,  September,    1817. 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  17 

Education  Society  in  Philadelphia  undertook  the  founda- 
tion of  a  classical  and  theological  seminary,  and  Dr. 
Staughton  was  appointed  principal  of  the  institution. 
On  the  tenth  of  August,  1818,  a  meeting  of  the  Baptist 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  was  held  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  called  chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  consulting  "on 
the  best  measures  to  promote  an  institution  for  improv- 
ing the  education  of  pious  young  men  who  are  called  to 
the  gospel  ministry."  This  effort  had  its  outcome  in 
the  establishment  of  the  Columbian  College  at  Wash- 
ington. 

Between  the  time  of  his  appointment  and  the  date  of 
his  departure  for  his  future  field  Mr.  Peck  labored  loy- 
ally in  the  interest  of  the  Western  Mission,  visiting 
associations,  addressing  religious  gatherings,  soliciting 
subscriptions,  founding  mite  societies,  and  engaging 
in  much  personal  work.  It  was  the  beginning  of 
a  heroic  service  which  continued  without  cessation 
to  the  close  of  his  long  and  self-denying  life.  Three 
months  after  his  appointment,  John  Mason  Peck  bade 
farewell  to  the  home  and  friends  of  his  youth,  and  began 
his  long  journey  to  the  Missouri  territory,  to  him  the  land 
of  radiant  promise.  As  the  July  day  drew  on  to  its 
close  a  covered  wagon  rumbled  out  of  the  town  of  Litch- 
field  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  bearing  the  missionary, 
his  wife,  and  three  children,  to  their  new  home  in  "the 
regions  beyond."  Their  route  carried  them  first  to  Phila- 
delphia, then  over  the  Alleghanies  to  Pittsburg,  through 
Ohio  to  Chillicothe,  across  the  Ohio  river,  down  to 
Louisville  in  Kentucky,  and  north  through  Indiana,  then 
rejoicing  in  the  newly-given  dignity  of  statehood.  Long 
after  the  glories  of  the  summer  had  departed,  when  the 
short  and  gloomy  days  drew  on  toward  winter,  on  the 
evening  of  the  sixth  of  November,  the  old  caravan  wagon, 


1 8  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

battered  and  mud-begrimed,  recrossed  the  Ohio  and 
entered  the  wretched  village  of  Shawneetown,  in  the 
territory  of  Illinois.  In  this  most  unpromising  locality 
the  missionary  was  detained  for  several  days  by  rains  and 
floods,  and  at  last  made  his  way  to  St.  Louis  in  a  keel-boat, 
spending  much  of  his  time  in  the  six-by-ten  cabin,  as 
the  weather  was  alternately  rainy,  windy,  and  cold. 
On  the  first  of  December,  after  twenty-two  days  of 'river 
travel,  he  landed  in  the  remote  and  unattractive  French 
village  of  St.  Louis.  Weariness  and  exposure  had 
brought  on  a  fever,  and  consumption  threatened.  Every 
house,  indeed  almost  every  room  in  the  village,  was  occu- 
pied, but  at  last  he  and  his  family  succeeded  in  renting  a 
single  room  formerly  used  as  a  business  office.  Here  amid 
the  most  miserable  surroundings  Mr.  Peck  lay  dangerously 
ill  for  two  months.  Such  was  his  introduction  to  the  scene 
of  his  future  labors.  In  a  half-humorous  way  he  was 
accustomed  to  speak  of  himself  as  "the  Pioneer,"  and 
in  later  years  as  "the  Old  Pioneer."  The  title  was  surely 
most  appropriate!  The  sufferings  and  trials  of  pioneer 
life  did  not  long  delay  their  coming. 

Even  before  his  complete  recovery  Mr.  Peck,  with  his 
colleague  Mr.  Welch,  established  a  school  and  a  church, 
and  began  the  double  service  of  teaching  and  preaching. 
This  school  in  St.  Louis  was  the  beginning  of  Baptist 
educational  work  in  the  West.  It  was  opened  on  the 
first  of  January,  1818,  just  one  month  from  the  time 
of  Mr.  Peck's  arrival  in  the  frontier  town.  The  condi- 
tion was  anything  but  favorable,  for  St.  Louis  was  "a 
land  of  darkness,  one  of  the  dark  places  of  the  earth, 
full  of  the  habitations  of  cruelty."  Vice  of  all  kinds 
reigned  without  check  or  hindrance,  while  error  and 
superstition  controlled  the  minds  of  the  more  serious 
among  the  people.  Nevertheless  the  school  prospered. 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  19 

Twenty-five  pupils  were  enrolled  on  the  first  day.  Each 
of  these  agreed  to  pay  a  fee  of  five  or  six  dollars  a  quar- 
ter. The  people  were  curious  concerning  the  energetic 
movements  of  the  new  missionaries.  Some  were  thor- 
oughly interested,  others  were  suspicious,  the  Catholic 
priests  were  jealous  and  hostile.  Although  the  school 
required  considerable  attention  and  care  the  more  vital 
concerns  of  the  spiritual  life  were  not  neglected.  On 
the  eighth  of  February  eleven  persons  entered  into  solemn 
covenant  engagements  as  a  regular  church  of  Christ,  the 
first  Baptist  church  beyond  the  Mississippi.  At  the  pub- 
lic examination  of  the  school  held  on  the  twenty-seventh  of 
March  the  "students  performed  remarkably  well."1  The 
work  of  the  missionaries  was  already  commanding  atten- 
tion, and  several  gentlemen  of  the  village  were  begin- 
ning to  interest  themselves  in  the  cause.  As  the  weeks 
went  by  the  plans  for  the  school  were  changed  and 
enlarged.  The  power  of  system  and  the  value  of  regu- 
lar organization  were  appearing  even  thus  early  in  the 
efforts  of  the  pioneers. 

The  somewhat  dignified  title  of  "Western  Mission 
Academy"  was  bestowed  upon  the  infant  institution,  and 
three  distinct  departments  were  established.  One  of  these 
was  for  "paid"  scholars,  who  at  the  outset  numbered 
forty.  Another,  limited  to  ten  scholars,  was  for  the 
children  of  poor  French  Catholic  families  and  the  tuition 
was  free.  In  the  third  department,  which  was  neither 
more  nor  less  than  an  African  Sunday-school,  there  were 
nearly  one  hundred  pupils  registered,  their  ages  running 
the  wide  range  from  five  to  forty  years.  In  this  branch 
of  the  institution  the  principal  object  was  religious 
instruction,  although  the  rudiments  of  a  solid  English 
education  were  also  imparted. 

*The  Latter  Day  Luminary,  May,  1818:    Letter  fron  Messrs.  Peck  and  Welch. 


20  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

It  soon  became  evident  to  the  frugal  and  far-seeing 
missionaries  that  St.  Louis  was  not  the  place  for  a  per- 
manent seminary  of  learning.  The  expense  of  living, 
the  high  rents,  and  the  impossibility  of  purchasing  and 
cultivating  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
school  buildings,  led  to  the  removal  of  the  main  school 
to  the  town  of  St.  Charles.  This  was  not  the  result  of 
a  momentary  impulse  or  a  hasty  decision.  Excursions 
were  made  to  several  points  within  a  radius  of  fifty  miles 
from  St.  Louis,  and  in  the  course  of  exploration  the  very 
locality  which  was  afterward  chosen  as  the  site  of  Shurt- 
leff  College  was  visited.  That  Upper  Alton  and  its  sur- 
roundings were  by  no  means  charming  or  attractive  in 
that  early  day  appears  clearly  in  the  following  account 
from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Peck : 

"The  late  Hon.  Rufus  Easton,  of  St.  Louis,  who  had 
become  interested  in  the  landed  property,  projected  as  the 
site  of  Alton  city,  exacted  the  promise  that  we  should  not 
decide  on  our  location  until  we  had  visited  and  explored 
that  site  or  rather  the  village  now  known  as  Upper  Alton, 
two  and  a  half  miles  in  the  rear,  and  on  elevated  and 
healthy  ground.  .  .  . 

"We  (singly — not  our  colleague)  left  St.  Charles  on 
February  23,  1819,  and  rode  down  to  the  'Point'  toward 
Smeltzer's  ferry,  then  located  about  three  miles  above 
the  site  of  the  city.  Here  we  crossed  the  river  a  little 
after  sunset,  and  had  five  miles  to  ride  to  the  inhabited 
village.  For  three  miles  the  pathway  lay  along  the  brink 
of  the  low  water  of  the  river  and  under  the  cliffs.  Not 
far  from  the  present  site  of  the  Alton  House,  there  was 
a  building,  but  whether  a  rough  frame  or  log  house  it 
was  too  dark  to  perceive.  (There  were  four  cabins  on 
the  town  site.)  Here  we  obtained  directions  how  to 
find  and  follow  the  dubious  pathway  through  the  brush 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  21 

and  forest,  up  a  long  hill  to  the  village.  It  was  cloudy 
and  dark,  but  on  emerging  from  the  forest  we  found  on 
every  side  the  appearance  of  camp-fires.  Log  heaps, 
piles  of  brush,  old  stumps  and  other  combustible  mate- 
rials were  glowing  with  heat,  and  spreading  an  illumina- 
tion over  the  plateau. 

"Inquiry  was  made  for  a  tavern  or  boarding-house, 
and  we  were  directed  to  a  long,  low,  ill-looking  log  house. 
It  was  about  forty  feet  in  length  and  probably  sixteen 
feet  wide,  the  doorway  for  entrance  at  the  west  end,  and 
the  dining-room,  as  it  seemed  to  be  used  for  eating  pur- 
poses, was  the  first  room  entered.  Our  readers  are  aware 
we  had  been  in  some  dirty  places.  The  table  was  sup- 
ported by  forks  driven  in  the  ground,  on  which  rough, 
newly  sawed  boards  extended  perhaps  twenty  feet.  An 
old  cloth,  filthy  like  the  rest  of  the  establishment,  cov- 
ered a  portion  of  the  table.  A  supply  of  dirty  dishes 
indicated  that  several  boarders  might  have  had  a  late 
supper.  The  part  from  which  the  dishes  and  cloth  had 
been  removed  was  occupied  by  three  parties  with  cards, 
or  something  resembling  spotted  pieces  of  pasteboard; 
all  in  harmony  with  the  rest,  for  the  cards  and  men  were 
the  dirtiest  objects  I  had  seen  since  our  pilgrimage  in 
the  Boone's  Lick  country.  On  inquiring  for  the 
landlord,  a  shock-head,  begrimed  features,  and  soiled 
garment  that  appeared  to  belong  to  a  'human/ 
came  in.  ... 

"It  did  not  take  many  minutes  to  frame  and  carry 
into  effect  a  resolution  to  find  better  quarters.  While 
living  in  St.  Louis  the  preceding  year,  I  had  formed  a 
slight  acquaintance  with  the  family  of  Doctor  Erastus 
Brown,  who  in  autumn  had  removed  to  Upper  Alton. 
Offering  a  dirty,  ragged  boy  a  dime  to  pilot  me  to  Dr. 
Brown's,  slinging  my  saddlebags  on  the  arm,  and  climb- 


22  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ing  over  stumps  and  logs,  brought  us  to  the  snug,  neat, 
newly-built  log  house — no,  we  will  call  it  a  'cottage' — 
where  we  found  the  doctor,  his  lady,  and  two  or  three 
little  ones,  in  as  comfortable  quarters  as  any  decent  folks 
deserved  to  have  in  those  frontier  times.  .  .  . 

"Both  declared  a  hearty  welcome,  and  regretted  I  did 
not  call  on  them  on  my  first  arrival.  I  told  the  good 
lady  not  to  get  supper,  for  I  had  eaten  a  late  dinner, 
and  it  was  drawing  toward  bed  time,  but  in  the  quick- 
est time  she  had  the  tea  made  and  the  table  spread.  I 
told  her  I  was  used  to  sleeping  on  the  floor  with  my 
saddle  for  a  pillow  and  saddle  blanket  for  covering;  but 
I  was  ushered  into  a  neat  little  room  with  a  bed  and 
covering  fit  for  a  prince.  In  all  my  wanderings  I  never 
experienced  as  great  and  sudden  a  transition  from  wretch- 
edness and  filth  to  comfort  and  happiness. 

"In  the  morning,  after  an  early  breakfast,  in  company 
with  my  friend,  Dr.  B.,  I  made  an  exploration  through 
the  town,  was  introduced  to  several  citizens,  and  learned 
all  that  was  necessary  of  Upper  Alton  at  that  time  as  the 
site  for  a  seminary  of  learning. 

"There  were  on  the  spot  between  forty  and  fifty  families, 
living  in  log-cabins,  shanties,  covered  wagons,  and  camps. 
I  found  a  school  of  some  twenty-five  or 
thirty  boys  and  girls  was  taught  by  some  backwoods 
fellow,  but  the  chance  for  a  boarding-school  was  small 
indeed.  There  was  the  old  settlement  about  the  forks  of 
Wood  river  and  Rattan's  prairie  that  might  furnish  a  few 
scholars.  The  Macoupin  settlement — real  frontier  row- 
dies— was  thirty  miles  north,  of  a  dozen  families;  then, 
three  families  had  ventured  over  Apple  creek.  The  emi- 
grants to  the  Sangamon  county  wrent  there  the  preceding 
winter.  Peoria,  on  the  Illinois  river,  was  an  old  French 
village  of  twenty-five  cabins.  Morgan,  Cass,  Scott,  and 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  23 

all  those  counties  along  the  Illinois  river  were  the  hunting 
grounds  of  the  Indians.  The  late  Major  Wadsworth  and 
half  a  dozen  families  had  made  their  pitch  in  Calhoun 
county.  All  the  country  to  the  east  and  north  was  one 
vast  wilderness.  Where  could  scholars  be  found  to  fill  a 
seminary  at  Upper  Alton  ?  After  deciding  all  such  ques- 
tions, I  gave  a  fellow  a  quarter  to  clean  the  mud  from  my 
horse,  paid  for  his  fare,  received  a  hearty  invitation  from 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  to  call  on  them  the  next  time  I  vis- 
ited Alton,  and  made  my  way  by  another  path  back  to 
Smeltzer's  ferry.  It  was  three  or  four  years  before  I 
again  visited  Upper  Alton,  during  which  time  quite  a 
town  had  sprung  up." 

Under  such  conditions  Alton  was  not  worthy  of  serious 
attention  as  the  site  for  the  proposed  seminary,  though 
it  is  interesting  to  notice  that  the  claims  of  this  place 
were  urged  at  the  very  inception  of  the  educational  un- 
dertaking which  afterward  bore  its  full  fruitage  in 
"Shurtleff  College  of  Alton,  Illinois." 

In  the  autumn  of  1818  the  Reverend  James  Craig  had 
removed  his  residence  from  Ohio  to  the  west  shore  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  started  a  school  at  St.  Charles.  It  was  a 
healthful  and  central  locality.  Hearing  of  this  new  ven- 
ture Mr.  Peck  entered  into  immediate  negotiations  with 
Mr.  Craig,  and  soon  arrangements  were  completed  for 
the  establishment  of  a  seminary  and  boarding  school, 
while  the  main  school  at  St.  Louis  was  discontinued.  It 
was  thought  that  a  twofold  object  would  thus  be  gained — 
the  mission  would  become  largely  self-supporting,  through 
the  income  from  the  school,  and  the  general  work  of  the 
mission  would  be  promoted  by  the  presence  of  such  an 
institution  of  learning  in  its  midst. 

Mr.  Welch  remained  in  St.  Louis  and  continued  a 
school  in  that  place,  while  Mr.  Peck  removed  his  family 


24  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

to  St.  Charles.  Two  other  schools  were  established  in 
the  Missouri  Territory  under  the  auspices  of  the  mis- 
sionaries. The  teachers  were  earnest  Christian  workers 
and  depended  wholly  for  their  remuneration  upon  the  tui- 
tion fees  of  the  pupils.  In  reference  to  the  ordinary  dis- 
trict schools  which  were  scattered  through  the  territory 
Mr.  Peck — our  Pioneer  of  higher  education — says :  "The 
object,  never  lost  sight  of  in  my  travels,  was  to  examine 
into  the  condition  of  these  schools ;  and  I  found  at  least 
three-fourths  of  all  the  masters  and  schools  were  public 
nuisances,  and  ought  to  have  been  indicted  by  the  Grand 
Jury."1 

In  the  June  which  followed  his  dreary  landing  at  St. 
Louis  Mr.  Peck  had  made  his  first  visit  to  Illinois,  just 
two  months  before  that  territory,  having  secured  the  need- 
ful forty  thousand  inhabitants,  became  a  state.  Madison 
county,  in  which  Alton  was  situated,  was  one  of  the  three 
most  northerly  counties.  The  region  beyond  was  a  wil- 
derness, and  one-half  of  the  territory  was  thought  to  be 
uninhabitable.  In  this  new  state  of  Illinois  it  was  or- 
dained that  the  future  years  of  the  missionary's  life 
should  be  passed.  In  1820  the  Western  Mission  was 
closed,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  lack  of  available  funds 
for  its  continuance.  Mr.  Welch  was  requested  to  remain 
in  St.  Louis  "as  a  private  minister  and  not  as  a  mission- 
ary," while  Mr.  Peck  was  directed  to  return  to  Fort 
Wayne  and  give  his  life  to  labor  among  the  Indians.  His 
full  consciousness  that  a  rich  harvest  was  waiting  to  be 
garnered  in  the  destitute  regions  about  him  led  the  worthy 
"Pioneer"  to  secure  release  from  the  positive  direction  of 
the  Board,  and  to  continue  in  the  Missouri  territory  at 
his  own  expense  for  nearly  two  years.  He  was  then  ap- 

1  Memoir  of  John  Mason  Peck,  D.  D.,  by  Rufus  Babcock,  p.  99. 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  2$ 

pointed  by  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary  Society 
as  missionary  at  large  for  Missouri  and  Illinois,  and 
forthwith  he  removed  his  family  to  the  eastern  shore  of 
the  Mississippi.  In  April,  1822,  he  took  up  his  residence 
at  Rock  Spring,  in  the  county  of  St.  Clair,  eighteen  miles 
from  St.  Louis  on  the  principal  stage  road  to  Vincennes. 
Mr.  Peck  said  of  it  that  "it  offered  no  claim  to  rank  as  a 
village  or  town.  It  is  in  the  midst  of  a  tract  of  barrens, 
with  only  a  few  families  within  two  miles.  ...  It 
possesses  the  advantages  of  being  removed  from  the  con- 
taminating influences  .  of  a  village,  is  unquestionably 
healthy,  has  an  abundance  of  excellent  water,  and  a  back 
country  range  for  stock."1  Here  the  pioneer  preacher 
made  his  home  till  his  work  on  earth  was  done. 

Illinois  was  not  in  every  way  a  promising  locality  at 
that  time.  Illiteracy  and  irreligion  prevailed.  However, 
the  desire  for  schools  and  for  the  advantages  of  higher 
education  was  not  altogether  lacking.  When  Ohio  and 
Indiana  were  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  statehood  it 
was  arranged  that  the  funds  arising  from  the  sale  of 
public  lands  should  be  used  for  the  making  of  roads 
leading  into  the  respective  states.  In  Illinois,  on  the 
other  hand,  this  entire  fund  was  applied  "to  the  encour- 
agement of  learning."2  The  Honorable  Nathaniel  Pope 
was  largely  responsible  for  this  important  provision,  which 
met  the  full  approval  of  the  people  throughout  the  state. 
Perhaps  the  bitterest  opposition  to  the  establishment  of 
schools  and  colleges  came  from  the  ranks  of  those  who 
should  have  been  foremost  in  their  advocacy.  That  ec- 
centric body  of  Christians  who  are  known  as  "Anti-Mis- 
sionary Baptists"  or  "Hardshells,"  fought  with  all  the 

>J.  M.  Peck's  A  Guide  for  Emigrants,   pp.  291  ff. 
2See  Ford's  History  of  Illinois,   p.  20. 


26  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

force  of  their  nature  against  every  attempt  to  found  ancl 
foster  institutions  of  learning  in  the  "Prairie  State." 
Truly  they  have  their  reward,  for  to-day  this  people  is 
weaker,  more  shiftless,  more  helpless,  and  more  densely 
ignorant  and  fanatical  than  any  other  body  of  believers. 

Amid  Mr.  Peck's  many  taxing  and  often  tedious  labors 
he  never  for  an  instant  forgot  the  educational  needs  of  the 
people.  So  when  the  time  for  decided  action  came  he  was 
ready.  Late  in  the  winter  of  1826,  pursuant  to  a  long  cher- 
ished plan,  he  took  his  way  across  the  prairies  and  over  the 
mountains  to  the  Eastern  states,  with  a  mighty  message 
burning  in  his  heart.  After  visiting  Dr.  Staughton  at  the 
Columbian  University,  and  attending  the  meeting  of  the 
Triennial  Convention  in  New  York,  he  hurried  on  to 
Boston,  and  laid  before  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society  his  plans  for  future  work  in  the  West. 
This  plan  embraced  two  very  important  features — the 
establishment  of  a  system  of  circuit  missions  and  the 
founding  of  a  theological  school. 

In  his  circular  letter  to  the  Missionary  Society,  in  his 
affecting  and  conclusively  eloquent  address  before  that 
body,  and  in  his  appeals  to  the  churches  throughout  the 
line  of  his  pilgrimage,  he  urged  the  needs  of  the  preach- 
ers in  the  frontier  states.  The  demand  for  an  institu- 
tion that  should  qualify  such  men  for  larger  responsi- 
bilities and  usefulness  \vas  imperatively  necessary.  He 
was  willing  to  house  the  school  for  the  time  being  in 
a  rough  cabin  or  log  hut.  He  was  ready  to  carry  for- 
ward any  plan  which  would  satisfactorily  unite  manual 
labor  with  study  on  the  part  of  the  pupils.  He  promised 
to  observe  the  rules  of  rigid  economy.  But  under  any 
consideration,  at  all  risks,  in  face  of  every  difficulty,  the 
school  must  be  established,  and  immediately.  Therefore 
he  pleaded  for  funds  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  make  a 


EDUCATIONAL  BEGINNINGS.  *7 

successful  beginning.  The  Society  gave  him  its  hearty 
good  wishes,  and  many  of  its  members  made  large  per- 
sonal contributions  to  the  work.  More  than  this  he  could 
hardly  expect,  for  in  the  nature  of  the  case  the  Society 
could  assume  no  direct  control  of  the  institution  and 
could  undertake  no  particular  responsibility  in  its  behalf. 
At  the  meeting  in  Boston  the  Board  earnestly  recom- 
mended the  school  "to  generous  support,  as  one  of  the 
most  effectual,  although  an  indirect,  means  of  promoting 
the  cause  of  domestic  missions,  and  advancing  the  true 
interest  of  the  Baptist  denomination  over  a  vast  extent 
of  territory."1  In  commenting  upon  this  clause  of  the 
report  of  the  Board,  Professor  Ripley  of  the  Newton 
Theological  Institute  said :  "The  aid  also  which  has 
been  indirectly  furnished  toward  the  foundation  of  the 
literary  and  theological  institution  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Western  country,  will  essentially  contribute  to  the  tem- 
poral and  eternal  well-being  of  a  rapidly  increasing  popu- 
lation. A  foundation  is  laid  and  a  superstructure  will 
be  reared,  in  which  we  trust  thousands  and  millions  will 
have  reason  to  rejoice."  Thus,  while  the  Newton  Semi- 
nary, born  in  the  month  of  May  one  year  previous,  was 
making  loud  and  emphatic  appeals  for  aid  for  theological 
education  in  cultured  New  England,  the  voice  of  the 
frontier  missionary  was  crying  out  for  help,  in  behalf 
of  struggling  and  needy  young  preachers  in  the  West ; 
and  thus  the  representatives  of  Newton  were  commend- 
ing in  the  spirit  of  cordial  fellowship  the  plans  of  their 
brethren  for  Illinois  and  the  West. 

Now,  with  lip  and  pen  tuned  to  a  theme  well  learned, 
Mr.  Peck  travelled  by  wise  and  rapid  journeys,  awaken- 

1  Report   of  the   Secretary   of  the    Baptist   Missionary    Society   of  Massachusetts^ 
1826-27. 


28  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

ing  the  interest,  enlisting  the  sympathies,  and  obtaining 
the  substantial  and  efficient  aid  of  the  Baptist  people  in 
the  Atlantic  states.  His  petitions  were  often  answered 
after  a  somewhat  curious  fashion,  yet  he  gladly  and 
thankfully  received,  not  only  money  and  books,  but  crock- 
ery, tinware  and  many  other  articles  of  practical  utility. 
The  enthusiasm  which  greeted  his  words,  and  the  gifts 
which  he  received,  strengthened  his  own  faith  and  aroused 
new  courage  in  his  heart.  He  returned  to  his  family  and 
friends  in  the  far-off  Illinois  country  with  a  quickened 
and  resolute  purpose.  His  importunate  prayers  had  been 
answered.  The  hope  of  years  was  about  to  be  fulfilled. 
The  school  was  no  longer  a  vision,  but  a  reality. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY,    1827-1831. 

The  Conference  of  organization — Building  and  preparing — The  School  opened — 
Joshua  Bradley — The  school  and  its  scholars — Mr.  Peck's  varied  labors — 
Rock  Spring:  a  student's  view — The  seminary  suspended. 

Appreciating  fully  the  importance  of  the  undertaking 
to  which  he  had  set  his  hand,  Mr.  Peck  began  without 
delay  the  work  of  organization.  In  November  he  arrived 
again  in  Rock  Spring.  About  five  weeks  later,  on  the 
first  day  of  January,  1827,  he  gathered  about  him  certain 
men  who  had  shown  themselves  favorable  to  the  new 
enterprise,  and  in  earnest  conference  they  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  the  Pioneer  School  of  the  West.  In  order  to 
prepare  the  way  for  further  deliberations,  they  declared 
by  a  unanimous  vote  their  intention  to  establish  an  edu- 
cational institution,  designed  primarily  for  the  training 
of  ministers  of  the  gospel,  but  likewise  embracing  a  gen- 
eral course  of  instruction  for  all  students  in  the  ordinary 
or  higher  branches  of  science  and  literature.  The  ques- 
tion of  location  was  next  considered.  It  was  necessary 
that  certain  conditions  should  be  met.  Where  could  a 
large  piece  of  land  be  obtained  at  reasonable  rates? 
Where  was  there  a  thoroughly  healthful  situation  ?  What 
locality  would  be  conveniently  near  to  St.  Louis,  the 
steadily  growing  metropolis  of  the  southwestern  country, 
and  already  an  important  centre  for  trade  and  commerce  ? 
What  position  would  be  in  every  way  strategic,  in  relation 

29 


30  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

to  the  whole  of  Illinois  and  the  entire  Mississippi  valley? 
After  mature  deliberation  it  was  ordered — this  time  also 
by  a  unanimous  vote — that  the  school  should  be  located 
in  the  Rock  Spring  settlement,  as  that  seemed  to  fulfill 
the  conditions  most  perfectly. 

In  view  of  the  decisions  thus  reached  it  was  not  difficult 
to  secure  a  name  nor  to  indicate  the  twofold  design  of  the 
school.  It  was  to  be  known  as  "The  Rock  Spring  Theolog- 
ical and  High  School,"  and  it  was  to  embrace  two  depart- 
ments. In -the  first  of  these  any  person  approved  by  his 
church  and  giving  satisfactory  evidence  of  true  piety  and 
promising  talents,  would  be  admitted  to  such  instruction  as 
should  be  provided  in  biblical  literature,  Christian  theol- 
ogy, and  subjects  of  general  educational  value.  The  other 
department  was  to  be  a  scientific  and  literary  seminary  for 
the  benefit  of  any  class  of  students  of  approved  character. 
The  intention  was  to  conduct  it  after  the  fashion  of  the 
high  schools  of  the  eastern  states. 

Several  vital  problems  concerning  management,  disci- 
pline and  endowment  remained  to  be  solved.  The  position 
of  superintendent  of  buildings  and  improvements  naturally 
fell  to  the  lot  of  Mr.  Peck.  He  was  also  appointed  general 
agent  and  empowered  to  raise  funds  and  to  select  sub- 
agents  to  co-operate  with  him  in  this  work.  The  Con- 
ference— now  organized  by  its  own  act  into  a  Board  of 
Trustees  for  control  of  the  school,  with  Rev.  James  Lemen 
as  president  and  Mr.  Peck  as  secretary  and  treasurer — 
proceeded  to  authorize  the  issuance  of  a  strong  appeal  to 
the  public  for  aid  in  the  erection  of  buildings  and  the  im- 
provement of  land.  It  was  decided  that  every  subscription 
of  ten  dollars  would  entitle  the  contributor  to  one  share 
of  stock  in  the  institution.  Each  subscriber  would  have 
the  privilege  of  paying  for  his  pledge  in  cash,  provisions, 
cattle,  labor,  materials  for  buildings,  books,  or  furniture, 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  31 

appraisement  to  be  made  according  to  the  regular  market 
prices.  In  the  election  of  trustees  each  share  would  be 
the  equivalent  of  one  vote,  under  such  restrictions  as  the 
stockholders  themselves  might  impose  at  their  first  meet- 
ing, which  it  was  arranged  should  be  held  at  the  time 
of  the  opening  of  the  seminary.  Each  stockholder  would 
be  allowed  the  privilege  of  sending  his  children  to  school 
without  charge  for  room  rent  or  for  the  use  of  the  library. 
Those  persons  who  had  already  contributed  would  be  en- 
titled to  the  full  privilege  of  stockholders,  receiving  one 
share  and  one  vote  for  every  ten  dollars  which  they  had 
given. 

It  was  expected  that  manual  labor  would  be  a  nec- 
essary part  of  the  students'  training,  so  before  the  Con- 
ference adjourned  its  members  had  agreed  that  a 
farm  should  be  connected  with  the  institution.  Thus  in 
the  tilling  of  the  soil  the  young  men  were  to  be  given  the 
opportunity  to  labor  "for  the  preservation  of  their  health, 
for  the  purpose  of  gaining  useful  instruction  in  agriculture 
and  domestic  economy,  and  lessening  expense  in  board 
and  tuition." 

Preliminary  arrangements  were  made  for  the  establish- 
ment of  two  professorships.  The  Conference  decided 
that  from  the  very  commencement  of  the  institution  there 
should  be  a  professor  of  Christian  Theology  and  a  pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy.  The 
first  of  these  should  be  invariably  a  regular  minister  of 
the  gospel,  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  sound  in  the 
faith,  of  exemplary  piety  and  Christian  character,  trained 
in  scholarly  habits  of  thought,  apt  to  teach  and  skillful  in 
the  administration  of  discipline.  Should  he  be  found, 
after  appointment  or  in  the  course  of  service,  to  lack  any 
of  these  requisite  qualifications,  he  should  be»  instantly 
dismissed  and  a  competent  person  elected  in  his  room  and 


32  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

stead.  The  other  professor,  in  addition  to  the  duties  of 
instruction,  should  act  as  principal  of  the  high  school 
department,  and,  until  the  appointment  of  additional  pro- 
fessors and  tutors,  should  direct  the  study  of  the  lan- 
guages. 

The  amount  of  work  accomplished  by  the  Conference 
at  its  single  session  was  prodigious.  A  spirit  of  deep 
devotion  was  manifest  from  the  first  word  to  the  last. 
Every  plan  was  carefully  discussed,  every  conclusion 
thoughtfully  reached,  every  resolution  adopted  with  the 
full  and  hearty  concurrence  of  all  who  were  present. 

In  a  communication  dated  at  Rock  Spring  on  the  fifth  of 
January,  Mr.  Peck  says :  "We  commenced  the  New  Year 
by  the  meeting  of  a  number  of  brethren  at  my  house,  on  the 
subject  of  our  Theological  School.  A  Board  of  Trustees 
was  organized,  the  site  of  the  institution  located  near  my 
residence,  and  a  general  plan  of  operations  agreed  upon, 
all  with  great  harmony  and  unanimity.  The  institution 
is  to  be  known  and  designated  by  the  name  of  'The  Rock 
Spring  Theological  and  High  School,'  to  commence  with 
two  professors,  and  to  embrace  two  departments.  .  .  . 
We  propose  to  raise  in  this  country  $1,000  in  cattle, 
produce,  labor,  or  materials  for  building,  by  subscription 
of  loo  shares  at  $10  each.  The  Trustees  have  appointed 
me  superintendent  of  buildings  and  general  agent  to  raise 
the  funds.  This,  with  my  other  engagements,  will  throw 
a  greater  burden  upon  me  than  I  can  well  sustain.  Some 
of  my  time  will  be  devoted  to  hard  labor  with  hired  men 
getting  out  timber."1 

In  the  early  records  the  literary  and  theological,  or 
high  school  and  theological,  departments  were  constantly 

^Christian  Watchman,  February  23,  1827.  Article,  "New.  Seminan,- in  the 
Western  Country." 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  33 

differentiated,  though  often  the  distinction  was  formal 
rather  than  real.  The  twofold  purpose  that  has  dominated 
the  school  throughout  the  entire  range  of  its  long  and 
eventful  history  has  been  true  to  the  ideal  of  its  founders. 
The  aim  has  always  been  to  provide  a  general  literary 
training  on  the  one  hand  and  for  a  certain  class  of 
students,  and  to  furnish  also  special  preparatory  instruc- 
tion for  young  men  with  the  ministry  in  view. 

After  the  noteworthy  first  meeting  the  task  of  building 
and  the  general  preparations  for  the  opening  of  the  sem- 
inary at  once  began.  There  was  every  evidence  of  pru- 
dence and  foresight  in  the  prosecution  of  the  work.  Log 
cabins  were  the  order  of  the  day  in  many  localities,  but 
it  was  found  that  frame  buildings  covered  with  clap- 
boards, with  the  walls  filled  in  with  brick  and  plastered 
over,  would  be  cheaper  at  the  outset,  so  an  edifice  of  this 
kind  was  put  up  with  a  frame  twenty  by  thirty  feet,  two 
stories  high,  and  having  on  each  side  a  twelve  by  fourteen 
feet  wing.  In  the  main  building  the  lower  story  was  used 
for  a  public  hall  and  general  school-room,  while  the  upper 
story  was  occupied  by  lodging  rooms  for  the  students. 
The  right  wing  contained  the  library  and  the  principal's 
room ;  the  left  the  reading-room  and  class-rooms. 

Much  of  the  labor  which  under  ordinary  circumstances 
fell  within  the  province  of  lumberman  and  mason  and 
carpenter,  the  dauntless  pioneer  preacher  performed  with 
his  own  hands,  that  the  expense  of  the  undertaking  might 
be  lessened.  An  example  of  his  devotion,  and  as  well  of 
the  inspiration  which  seemed  ever  to  attend  his  words, 
is  thus  related.  "One  day  a  young  Presbyterian  minister, 
Rev.  John  M.  Ellis,  a  graduate  of  the  Andover  Theolog- 
ical Seminary,  and  who  had  then  recently  come  into 
Illinois,  was  riding  on  horseback  in  'the  Sangamon  coun- 
try/ as  the  central  portion  of  the  state  was  then  called. 


34  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

As  he  was  making  his  way  over  the  lonely  prairies^. inter- 
spersed here  and  there  with  patches  of  'timber,'  he  came 
to  a  clearing  in  the  midst  of  hazels  and  black  jacks,  and 
was  arrested  in  his  progress  by  the  sound  of  an  ax. 
Observing  the  woodman  near  by,  he  called  to  him  with  the 
question,  'What  are  you  doing  here,  stranger?'  'I  am 
building  a  theological  seminary,'  was  the  reply.  'What, 
in  these  barrens?'  'Yes,  I  am  planting  the  seed.'  The 
woodman  was  John  M.  Peck,  and  the  'seed'  he  planted 
sprang  and  grew  as  the  Rock  Spring  Seminary,  trans- 
planted subsequently  to  Alton,  and  is  now  flourishing 
and  fruitful  as  Shurtleff  College.  But  Mr.  Peck  was  plant- 
ing seed  for  even  more  than  he  himself  knew ;  for  the 
thoughts  suggested  by  this  interview  grew  in  the  mind  of 
Mr.  Ellis  himself  and  resulted  in  the  formation  of  Illinois 
College  at  Jacksonville."1 

In  the  face  of  jealous  hostility  on  the  part  of  his 
"brethren,"  the  anti-missionary  Baptists,  and  amid  the 
doubts  of  well-wishing  but  weak-kneed  disciples,  he  wenf 
forward  with  his  work.  Slowly  arose  the  walls  of  the 
building,  humble  and  even  mean  in  appearance,  but  great 
in  historic  significance  for  the  Baptists  of  the  western 
world.  By  the  end  of  May  the  structure  was  completed. 
In  September  a  log-cabin  boarding-house  stood  beside  it. 
A  third  building  was  soon  added,  designed  for  a  carpen- 
ter's shop,  but  used  as  a  printing  office  and  tract  depos- 
itory. The  upper  rooms  of  the  seminary  and  boarding- 
house  were  not  finished  until  after  the  school  was 
suspended,  but  these  rooms  were  nevertheless  occupied 
by  needy  students  who  found  shelter  from  rain  and  pro- 
tection from  cold,  although  the  luxuries  of  ease  and  ele- 

lTAe  Baptists  and  the  National  Centenary    (Philadelphia,  1877),  p.  161. 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  35 

ganee  were  conspicuously  absent.  There  was  an  excellent 
library  of  some  twelve  hundred  volumes,  together  with 
maps,  globes  and  other  apparatus.  Twenty-five  acres  of 
land  about  the  school  buildings  were  owned  by  the  insti- 
tution, besides  two  sections — of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  each — on  the  military  tract. 

On  the  first  day  of  November,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
concourse  of  people,  the  members  of  the  faculty  were 
inducted  into  office.  The  first  principal  of  the  school  was 
Rev.  Joshua  Bradley,  A.  M.,  a  man  whose  unconquerable 
energy  seemed  to  fit  him  in  a  peculiar  manner  for  the 
onerous  work  to  which  he  was  called.  He  was  born  in  pov- 
erty and  learned  the  trade  of  a  cobbler.  Totally  destitute  of 
even  the  beginnings  of  an  education,  he  toiled  at  the  work 
bench  until  his  nineteenth  year,  when  he  passed  through 
the  fiery  furnace  of  a  torturing  spiritual  experience  into 
the  peace  of  Jesus  Christ.  At  once  he  began  to  read,  to 
study,  and  to  plan  for  work  in  a  broader  field.  As  the 
professional  requirements  were  not  stringent  at  that  time, 
he  succeeded  after  a  little  while  in  finding  employment  as 
a  singing-master  and  school-teacher.  By  dint  of  extreme 
devotion  to  his  books  in  every  period  of  leisure  he  secured 
a  good  elementary  education,  and  afterward  worked  his 
way  through  Brown  University,  graduating  with  honors 
in  1799.  He  was  then  twenty-six  years  of  age,  rugged  in 
body,  and  ready  for  pioneer  labor  of  the  severest  char- 
acter. For  nearly  sixty  years,  from  the  time  of  his  gradu- 
ation till  his  death  in  1855,  he  carried  forward  two 
important  lines  of  work  in  seventeen  different  states.  He 
established  churches  and  founded  schools  of  learning. 
Constantly  moving  from  place  to  place,  he  bore  about 
with  him  an  atmosphere  of  intense  activity.  It  was  his 
habit  to  make  his  home  in  a  town,  gather  young  people 
about  him,  and  start  a  seminary.  The  fees  of  the  pupils 


36  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

gave  him  support,  while  he  spent  his  spare  time  and  effort 
in  collecting  scattered  Baptist  people,  preaching  the  gospel 
to  them,  and  uniting  them  into  regular  bodies.  Churches 
were  established  by  him  in  such  centres  as  New  Haven, 
Albany  and  Pittsburg,  while  several  of  his  schools  grew 
into  flourishing  academies  and  colleges.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he. was  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  for 
the  State  of  Minnesota. 

When  he  received  the  call  to  Rock  Spring  Mr.  Brad- 
ley was  in  the  vigor  of  mid-life.  He  had  already  won  a 
very  considerable  reputation  as  a  teacher  and  educator. 
According  to  his  own  account  he  was  "earnestly  solic- 
ited" by  Mr.  Peck  to  leave  his  large  school  and  church 
in  Pittsburg  and  "take  charge  of  a  new  seminary  at  Rock 
Spring,  which  subsequently  grew  into  Shurtleff  College 
at  Upper  Alton."1 

When  the  Rock  Spring  Seminary  was  founded  there 
were  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  clergymen  of  all  denom- 
inations in  the  state  of  Illinois,  of  whom  fifty-eight 
were  of  the  Baptist  faith.  The  majority  of  these  men 
were  wholly  destitute  of  educational  advantages,  while 
many  of  them  were  bitterly  opposed  to  the  establishment 
of  colleges,  and  even  of  high  schools  and  seminaries. 
They  were  accustomed  to  devote  their  time  during  the 
week  to  farming  or  other  secular  employment  and  on  Sun- 
day they  would  enter  the  pulpit  to  "exhort"  according  to 
their  ability. 

The  first  five  days  of  its  history  brought  to  the  Rock 
Spring  Seminary  twenty  boarding  students,  besides  sev- 
eral day  scholars  from  the  neighboring  settlements.  The 
boarders  were  not  inclined  to  be  over-critical.  Most  of 


*  Annals  of  the  American  Baptist  Pulpit.      Article,  "Joshua  Bradley"  (autobio- 
craphical  sketch). 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  37 

them  slept  on  straw,  but  Mr.  Peck  sent  an  urgent  appeal 
to  his  friends  in  Boston  for  "covering  and  coarse  ticking" 
for  the  beds,  and  many  of  the  good  sisters  in  the  East  re- 
sponded heartily  to  the  call,  as  was  evident  from  the  some- 
what unusual  items  which  appeared  in  the  reports  of  the 
Missionary  Board  from  time  to  time.  The  expenses  of  a 
young  man  for  a  year,  including  clothing,  amounted  to 
fifty  dollars  in  cases  where  the  tuition  was  free  (which  it 
usually  was)  and  the  style  of  the  boarding  economical. 
Nearly  all  of  the  students  were  poor,  and  their  previous 
education  was  of  the  most  slender  character  imaginable, 
yet  they  expected  to  be  turned  out  from  the  school  after 
a  few  months  finished  products,  brilliant  scholars,  and 
polished  gentlemen.  They  came  from  the  whole  country 
round  about,  until,  after  a  few  weeks,  upward  of  a  hun- 
dred had  gathered  at  Rock  Spring.  The  success  exceeded 
the  loftiest  dreams  of  the  founders.  "It  led  probably  to 
some  extravagant  expectations  which  could  not  be  real- 
ized, and  as  this  mortifying  disappointment  met  them  in 
the  face,  some  of  their  associates  were  discouraged  and 
turned  back.  In  these  various  alternations  it  is  most 
cheering  to  witness  the  steadfast  zeal  of  the  chief  founder 
— never  for  a  moment  did  he  waver,  but  in  sunshine  and 
storm,  when  all  was  hopeful  or  when  reverses  came  thick 
and  aggravatingly  upon  them,  he  yielded  to  no  discour- 
agements, but  held  on  his  vigorous,  enterprising,  persistent 
course.  To  this  alone,  or  almost  alone,  was  it  owing  that 
the  Seminary  was  made  for  years  successful  and  emi- 
nently useful,  until  its  removal  to  another  locality  and  its 
enlargement  to  a  college  was  its  culminating  triumph."1 

After  the  establishment  of  the  school  Mr.  Peck  remained 
active  in  every  good  word  and  work.     His  devotion  to 

^Memoir  of  John  Mason  Peck,  D.  £).,  By  Rufus  Babcock,  pp.  229-30. 


38  THE   PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

other  interests  lessened  not  one  whit.  He  went  every- 
where preaching,  baptizing,  establishing  and  confirming 
churches.  In  1818,  chiefly  through  his  agency,  there  had 
been  founded  a  "United  Society  for  the  Spread  of  the 
Gospel."  In  1825  he  was  instrumental  in  bringing  about 
the  foundation  of  "The  General  Sunday  School  Union 
for  Missouri  and  Illinois."  He  also  did  a  large  work  dur- 
ing these  years  for  the  American  Bible  Society.  He  was 
a  leader  in  the  undertakings  of  the  Colonization  Society, 
and  though  not  active  in  support  of  the  anti-slavery  cru- 
sade his  strong  views  on  the  question  were  well  known. 
He  was  present  at  the  organization  of  the  first  temper- 
ance society  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  championed  the 
cause  of  total  abstinence  whenever  opportunity  offered. 

But  Mr.  Peck  was  not  only  the  father  of  the  Baptist 
Home  Missionary  enterprise,  of  Baptist  education,  and  of 
organized  Sunday-school  work  in  Illinois  and  the  West; 
he  was  also  the  pioneer  in  Western  religious  journalism. 
Toward  the  close  of  the  year  1828,  with  the  aid  of  Rev. 
T.  P.  Green,  he  issued  a  prospectus  and  on  the  twenty-fifth 
of  the  following  April  the  first  issue  of  "The  Pioneer  of 
the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi"  made  its  appearance.  It 
was  hoped  that  the  profits  of  the  paper  would  help  the 
Seminary  on  its  somewhat  uncertain  course,  but  profits 
there  were  none,  and  debts  there  were  many.  Neverthe- 
less the  editor  and  publisher  assumed  without  groan  or 
complaint  each  annual  deficit  of  two  hundred  dollars,  and 
continued  week  after  week  and  year  after  year  for  twelve 
years  to  issue  the  paper.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
circulation  of  this  pe'riodical  in  the  homes  of  the  people 
served  to  keep  constantly  in  their  view  the  interest  and 
needs  of  the  school,  so  that  the  venture  was  in  no  worthy 
sense  a  failure.  Besides,  both  educationally  and  denomi- 
nationally, the  paper  was  a  power  in  the  land  on  its  own 
account. 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  39 

Rock  Spring,  with  its, newspaper  and  school,  soon  be- 
came a  beacon  to  the  Baptists  of  the  state.  The  excellent 
service  of  the  teachers  gave  the  seminary  a  good  reputa- 
tion. After  the  excitement  in  connection  with  its  open- 
ing had  subsided  it  settled  down  to  earnest  and  effective 
work.  During  the  second  year  of  its  existence  it  was 
visited  by  a  gracious  revival,  the  forerunner  of  the  many 
in  all  the  later  years  which  have  made  this  "school  of  the 
prophets"  a  sacred  place  to  multitudes  of  men  and  women. 
The  number  of  the  pupils  was  about  fifty  in  the  early 
years,  although  at  one  time  the  enrollment  reached  one 
hundred  and  thirty.  The  school  was  in  operation  for  forty- 
four  weeks  in  the  year.  A  vacation  of  seven  weeks  in  the 
summer,  and  another  of  one  week  at  Christmas  time, 
afforded  the  hard-working  pupils  a  brief  breathing  space. 

A  part  of  the  original  Students'  Record  is  still  pre- 
served. In  the  list  of  those  who  enrolled  themselves  at 
the  opening  of  the  seminary  is  the  name  "of  William  H. 
Rider,  written  in  a  boyish  hand.  Mr.  Rider  is  still  living, 
at  an  advanced  age,  in  Los  Angeles,  and  is  hale  and  strong 
in  spite  of  the  weight  of  years.  This  sole  survivor  of  the 
earliest  days  of  ShurtlefFs  history  supplies  the  following 
account  of  the  school,  and  adds  some  interesting  words 
in  reference  to  the  person  and  work  of  Dr.  Peck : 

"Seventy-two  years  have  passed  since  I,  a  boy  in  my 
twelfth  year,  left  Carrollton,  Greene  county,  for  Rock 
Spring,  St.  Clair  county,  in  company  with  Jordan  Howard 
and  Clarinda  Pierson,  to  enter  as  a  student  at  the  opening 
of  the  Rock  Spring  Seminary  the  latter  part  of  October, 
1827.  My  father,  Justus  Rider,  was  one  of  the  trustees 
of  the  theological  seminary  part  of  the  school.  I  had 
graduated  from  the  log  school  house  with  its  oiled  paper 
windows,  and  this  was  the  only  opportunity  to  take  a  step 
higher. 


40  ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY. 

"The  school  opened  with  a  fair  attendance — the  num- 
ber I  cannot  recall.  The  building  was  a  large  two-story 
frame,  with  one-story  wings  on  each  side,  with  fireplaces 
opposite  each  other  in  the  main  building  to  accommodate 
the  wings.  There  was  always  a  contest  between  the  two 
as  to  which  could  draw  the  most  smoke  from  the  other, 
and  as  that  could  not  be  decided,  the  only  way  to  settle 
it  was  to  close  one  of  them.  The  second  story  was 
used  as  a  dormitory,  and  the  smaller  boys  (without  bed- 
steads) slept  on  straw  beds  on  the  floor;  after  the  mis- 
chievous ones  quieted  down,  we  slept  as  only  tired  boys 
can. 

"There  was  another  building  where  the  young  lady  stu- 
dents roomed  with  the  family  that  attended  to  the  wants 
of  the  hungry  boarders.  It  was  kept  the  first  year  by  a 
Mr.  Leonard  and  family,  who  came  from  Morgan  county, 
and  afterward  lived  in  Rushville.  I  was  nearly  if  not 
quite  the  youngest  pupil  in  the  school,  and  I  boarded  most 
of  the  time  with  Mr.  Peck.  Rev.  J.  T.  Bradley  was  the 
first  principal  of  the  school ;  he  was  a  preacher  of  more 
than  ordinary  power,  and  as  a  disciplinarian  he  was  very- 
strict.  The  only  expulsion  from  the  school  that  I  recollect 
occurred  under  his  administration.  The  second  year  the 
institution  was  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Peck.  The  mathe- 
matical department  was  taught  by  Mr.  John  Messinger. 
He  gave  me  Latin  grammar  and  algebra  to  conquer  before 
I  was  half  through  common  arithmetic  and  the  English 
grammar. 

"Many  of  the  students  who  attended  the  school  while  1 
was  there  became  afterward  men  of  celebrity ;  among 
them  Ninian  Ed  wards,  late  of  Springfield,  son  of  Governor 
Edwards,  and  William  and  Miss  Penelope  Pope,  son  and 
daughter  of  Judge  Pope,  of  Kaskaskia.  William  Pope 
was  afterward  clerk  of  the  United  States  District  Court, 


WILLIAM    H.    RIDER. 


THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL.  41 

of  which  his  father  was  Judge,  and  Miss  Penelope  became 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Hope,  of  Alton.  The  late  Don  Morrison, 
of  Belleville,  was  a  student,  and  one  of  the  teachers  was 
Ebenezer  Marsh,  later  druggist  and  banker  of  Alton. 
George  Stacey  was  for  a  time  tutor  and  student,  and 
afterward  for  a  number  of  years  preached  in  Illinois.  I 
was  too  young  to  be  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  any  except 
a  few  of  the  students,  but  in  after  years  I  renewed  school 
days'  acquaintance  with  some  of  the  above  named  and 
other  fellow-students. 

"I  \vas  most  of  the  time  in  Mr.  Peck's  family.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  industrious  men  I  ever  knew.  When  not 
engaged  in  out-door  duties  he  was  always  in  his  study. 
As  a  public  speaker  he  was  one  of  the  strongest  I  have 
ever  heard.  I  do  not  remember  that  on  any  occasion  I 
saw  him  using  notes  or  having  a  written  sermon.  At 
association  or  upon  special  occasions  he  would  often 
preach  sermons  of  two  or  three  hours  in  length,  as  for 
instance  in  his  answer  to  certain  infidels  and  skeptics  on 
the  validity  of  the  Scriptures,  early  in  the  '305  in  Car- 
rollton.  There  were  no  church  buildings  in  the  town, 
so  services  were  held  in  private  houses  or  in  the  Court- 
house. The  Baptists  had  an  appointment  for  Mr.  Peck 
at  the  same  hour  that  the  Freethinkers'  Society  had  ar- 
ranged for  their  meeting,  and  both  claimed  the  house. 
So  Mr.  Peck  advised  the  Society  to  go  ahead,  and  he 
would  attend  and  answer  their  speaker.  Mr.  Hopson  was 
a  well  educated  Englishman.  He  spoke  between  one  and 
two  hours,  Mr.  Peck  in  the  judge's  stand  with  him.  It 
was  rather  embarrassing,  knowing  what  was  to  follow, 
but  Mr.  Hopson  returned  the  compliment  and  remained 
in  the  stand  during  the  three  hours'  sermon  of  Mr.  Peck, 
which  was  listened  to  by  the  entire  audience,  more  than 
half  of  whom  were  obliged  to  stand  for  lack  of  seats.  Mr. 


42  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Peck  closed  by  taking  a  vote  on  the  merits  of  the  question, 
which  was  mainly  upon  the  authority  of  the  Bible.  The 
vote  was  nearly  a  unanimous  'aye.'  Most  of  the  free- 
thinking  friends  refrained  from  voting,  but  one  good  old 
English  lady  had  the  courage  of  her  convictions  and  called 
out  'no.'  That  was  the  last  of  their  public  meetings  in 
the  village,  but  they  were  continued  for  a  time  in  the  coun- 
try, though  finally  they  ceased  altogether,  and  some  were 
afterward  converted  and  joined  the  Baptist  Church. 
About  that  time  two  Mormon  elders  came  and  were  threat- 
ening the  disruption  of  the  church.  Mr.  Peck  took  them 
in  hand  and  they  left  for  pastures  new. 

"After  one  of  his  powerful  efforts,  without  manuscript 
or  notes,  he  was  asked  'how  long  it  took  him  to  prepare 
that  sermon.'  His  answer  was  'forty  years.'  He  was 
also  a  very  prominent  factor  in  preventing  the  state  from 
becoming  a  slave  state.  Where  he  was  unknown  he  was 
often  taken  for  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  as  when 
addressing  the  people  on  the  subject  of  calling  a  conven- 
tion to  alter  the  Constitution  to  admit  the  slave." 

After  a  year  of  service  Mr.  Bradley  resigned  the  prin- 
cipalship,  and  was  succeeded  by  John  Russell,  LL.D.,  who 
had  been  teaching  in  the  school  since  its  foundation.  Soon, 
however,  it  became  evident  that  the  strong  hand  and  the 
master  mind  were  needed  at  the  helm,  for  the  craft  was 
in  dangerous  waters.  The  lack  of  financial  support,  the 
absence  of  endowment,  the  poverty  of  the  students,  the 
forebodings  of  timorous  souls,  the  hostility  of  the  be- 
nighted, and  the  full  realization  on  the  part  of  its  friends 
of  the  unfavorableness  of  its  location,  wrought  a  crisis  in 
the  affairs  of  the  institution.  Its  founder  came  to  its 
rescue,  assuming  full  control  of  its  activities,  in  addition 
to  the  thousand  and  one  other  labors  and  responsibilities 
that  pressed  him  on  every  hand.  His  multitudinous  cares, 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  43 

with  the  added  duties  of  teaching  and  supervising,  at  last 
threatened  to  wreck  his  life.  The  school  could  not  be  dis- 
continued, for  he  had  staked  too  much  upon  it,  he  had 
worked  too  heroically  in  its  behalf,  he  had  placed  too  great 
faith  in  its  future,  ever  to  abandon  it.  Besides,  he  had 
enlisted  a  host  of  friends,  East  and  West,  in  its  welfare. 
Times  without  number  he  had  asserted  that  the  school  was 
a  necessity.  Such  a  man,  under  such  conditions,  could 
not  change  the  purpose  of  years,  confess  failure,  throw 
aside  the  work  which  had  begun  so  auspiciously  a  short 
while  before,  and  for  the  continuance  of  which  he  saw 
an  imperative  and  growing  need.  Yet  what  was  to  be 
done?  How  could  the  obstacles  be  overmatched?  How 
could  the  school  be  saved  ? 

As  so  often  happens,  the  time  of  crisis  became  the 
golden  hour  of  opportunity.  Shortly  before  the  close 
of  the  academic  year,  in  June,  1831,  the  Pioneer  received 
a  visit  from  Rev.  Jonathan  Going,  with  whom  he  had 
held  an  extended  correspondence  since  his  own  visit 
to  the  East,  and  who  had  been  commissioned  by  the 
Missionary  Society  "to  explore  the  conditions  of  the 
Baptists  in  the  West."  Out  of  the  conversations,  the 
plans,  and  the  travels  of  those  two  wise  and  good  men 
during  the  few  weeks  that  followed  there  emerged  the 
''Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society."  During  that  period 
also  the  whole  question  of  the  seminary  and  its  future 
was  debated  long  and  earnestly.  Together  the  two  men 
"reconnoitered  the  very  spot  in  Upper  Alton,  subse- 
quently purchased  as  the  site  for  a  new  and  more  imposing 
institution.  During  the  following  year  that  eligible  site 
was  purchased,  designed  for  both  Illinois  and  Missouri, 
and  therefore  placed  opposite  to  the  Missouri  and  Missis- 
sippi rivers,  and  measures  set  on  foot  for  erecting  durable 


44  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

edifices,  and  the  transfer  of  the  school  to  that  locality."1 
It  was  deemed  wise  to  suspend  the  operations  of  the 
school  for  a  few  months,  while  the  question  of  future 
location  was  pending.  The  founder  of  the  school  had  no 
idea  of  abandoning  it,  or  of  closing  it  permanently.  In 
his  Guide  for  Emigrants,  published  in  1831,  he  says 
that  "owing  to  the  failure  of  the  health  of  the  late  prin- 
cipal it  is  suspended  for  the  present  season;  but  its  friends 
are  about  to  adopt  measures  to  revive  it  and  raise  it  to  a 
higher  rank  as  a  literary  institution."2  There  seems 
to  have  been  some  question  in  the  mind  of  Mr.  Peck,  even 
after  his  conversations  with  Dr.  Going,  in  reference  to 
the  advisability  of  removing  the  school  to  Upper  Alton ; 
but  his  convictions  in  regard  to  the  necessity  of  continu- 
ing its  work  never  wavered.  He  at  last  gave  his  full 
consent  to  the  change  of  location,  and  so,  to  use  his  own 
words,  "the  school  closed  with  the  view  of  its  removal  to 
Upper  Alton  as  the  commencement  of  a  college." 

Dr.  B.  F.  Edwards,  who  was  successively  a  member  of 
the  governing  boards  of  Rock  Spring  Seminary  and  Al- 
ton Seminary,  commenting  upon  this  period  in  the  history 
of  the  institution,  has  said :  "Rock  Spring  Seminary  was 
removed  to  Upper  Alton  and  there  continued  as  Alton 
Seminary,  and  it  was  definitely  understood — because  of  a 
previous  agreement  to  remove — that  it  was  to  be  done 
when  the  new  location  at  Upper  Alton  was  decided  upon, 
and  the  new  organization  was  then  formed."3  At  the 
close  of  his  tour  of  inspection  Dr.  Going  carried  back  to 
the  friends  of  the  school  in  the  East  the  news  of  its  pro- 

*Memoir,  etc.,  by  Rufus  Babcock,  pp.  250,  2.51. 

"*A  Guide  for  Emigrants,   containing  sketches  of  Illinois,    Missouri  and  the  ad- 
jacent parts  by  J.  M.  Peck  (Boston,  1831). 

^Jubilee  Memorial.      Address  of  Samuel  Baker. 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  45 

jected  removal,  and  notices  appeared  in  the  public  prints 
to  the  effect  that  "the  seminary  at  Rock  Spring  has  been 
or  is  to  be  removed  to  Alton,  and  placed  under  the  super- 
intendence of  Rev.  Hubbel  Loomis."1  R.  S.  Duncan,  in 
an  account  of  the  life  of  J.  M.  Peck  in  his  History  of  the 
Baptists  in  Missouri,  says  that  "Mr.  Peck  continued  his 
itinerant  work  in  Missouri  till  1821,  when  he  removed  to 
Rock  Spring,  111.,  and  established  the  Rock  Spring  Sem- 
inary, which  .  .  .  became  Shurtleff  College." 

The  words  of  Dr.  Going  himself  with  regard  to  the 
transfer  are  interesting,  confirming  as  they  do  the  above 
statements  with  reference  to  the  transfer  of  location,  and 
the  continuance  of  the  Rock  Spring  school  as  Alton  Sem- 
inary. Writing  from  Edwardsville  under  date  of  June  28, 
1831,  he  says  :  "At  the  date  of  my  last  I  had  just  reached 
Rock  Spring,  where,  you  know,  we  have  a  seminary,  to 
look  into  the  circumstances  of  which  constituted  a  dis- 
tinct part  of  my  object  in  this  state.  It  was  a  part,  too, 
which  I  considered  the  most  delicate  of  any  part  of  my 
business.  I  am  of  the  opinion,  however,  that  it  will  be 
accomplished  with  less  difficulty  than  I  apprehended." 
Eight  days  later,  having  returned  to  Rock  Spring,  he 
writes :  "You  would  smile  to  see  me  mounted  on  a  stunted 
pony,  alongside  of  Brother  Peck,  the  pioneer,  and  scour- 
ing the  woods  and  crossing  the  prairies.  One  day  last 
week  I  was  four  hours  on  horseback,  and  all  the  time  in 
the  woods,  looking  out  a  location  for  a  Baptist  College 

.  .  I  find  no  small  difficulty  in  determining,  in 
my  own  mind,  \vhether  it  is  expedient  to  attempt  the  re- 
moval of  the  seminary  from  this  place ;  and,  if  so,  to  what 
place ;  though  I  think  the  balance  in  favor  of  Alton."  With 

'Professor  Knowles'  address  on  Importance  of  Theological  Instruction,  p.  1   (also 
see  p.  6).      Published  by  Lincoln  &  Edwards,  Boston,  1832,. 


46  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

reference  to  the  conferences  of  these  two  men,  and  the 
decision  that  they  finally  reached,  Dr.  J.  G.  Warren  says : 
"My  impression  is  that  Going  was  the  only  living  man 
that  could  have  prevailed  with  Mr.  Peck  to  remove  the 
college  from  his  favorite  Rock  Spring.  Both  were  giants 
of  about  equal  powers,  taken  all  in  all,  and  it  needed  a 
giant  in  this  case  to  conquer  a  giant." 

Judged  by  our  ordinary  standard  the  school  at  Rock 
Spring  was  not  a  success.  Its  financial  experiences  were 
troublesome  and  disheartening.  The  number  of  students 
was  small  after  the  first  year.  The  management  was 
never  wholly  satisfactory.  Somewhat  elaborate  plans  were 
made  for  theological  training,  yet  only  eleven  of  the  stu- 
dents of  the  school  gave  their  lives  to  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  including  those  who  were  licensed  to 
preach  before  entering  the  seminary,  and  those  who  after- 
ward became  preachers.  Nevertheless,  a  great  work  was 
done  at  Rock  Spring.  There  were  several  gracious  re- 
vivals of  religion,  and  the  seal  of  divine  approval  was 
again  and  again  set  upon  the  unselfish  labors  of  the  in- 
structors.1 Thirty-three  students  professed  conversion 
while  in  attendance  at  the  seminary,  and  others  who  were 
converted  after  their  school-days  had  passed,  attributed 
the  work  of  grace  to  the  influences  which  had  surrounded 
them  during  the  days  of  their  student  life  at  Rock  Spring. 
An  educational  beginning  was  made  by  the  Baptists  of 
the  state,  and  the  results  of  that  humble  beginning  are 
being  felt  today  throughout  the  western  country.  A  stand 
\vas  taken,  a  policy  was  outlined,  suggestions  were  set  in 
motion,  a  principle  was  enunciated.  To  men  of  clear 
vision  the  work  of  the  institution  in  its  earlier  history  was 
quite  as  important  in  its  place  as  any  period  of  its  later 

'See  Allen's  Baptist  Register  for  1836,  p.  83. 


ROCK  SPRING  SEMINARY.  47 

life  has  been.  The  ground  was  made  ready,  the  seed  was 
planted,  the  duty  of  the  laborers  was  pressed  home  upon 
their  hearts.  The  pioneers  set  in  motion  many  efforts 
and  agencies,  whose  effective  force  continues  today,  and 
whose  power  will  extend  and  enlarge  through  all  the  com- 
ing generations. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  ALTON  SEMINARY,    1832-1835. 

Better  prospects. — A  strategic  location — Principal  Hubbel  Loomis — An  important 
conference — Transfer  of  property — Beginnings  at  Alton — John  Russell — A 
Charter  with  restrictions — Academic  Hall — Bela  Jacobs'  Report — Mr.  Peck's 
proposal — The  work  of  Alton  Seminary. 

The  hopes  and  plans  of  the  heroic  pioneer  missionary 
were  neither  fruitless  nor  vain.  The  day  of  the  removal  of 
the  Rock  Spring  Seminary  to  Upper  Alton  was  a  day  of 
promise  as  well  as  of  triumph.  The  people  were  becoming 
interested  in  educational  affairs,  and  the  problem  of  the 
location  being  at  last  and  forever  settled,  the  school  began 
to  go  forward  in  the  way  of  outward  and  practical 
progress.  Its  object  remained  unchanged  except  that  the 
courses  were  to  be  more  lengthy,  and  would  advance  the 
student  to  a  higher  grade  of  scholarship.  Theological 
training  was  still  to  be  a  prominent  feature  in  the  work  of 
the  institution. 

It  is  interesting  to  notice  how  thoroughly  in  sympathy 
with  the  new  life  of  the  school  were  the  desires  and  ideals 
of  Mr.  Peck.  At  the  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Illinois 
branch  of  the  American  Educational  Society,  which  was 
held  in  Jacksonville  in  August,  1832,  he  closed  a  succinct 
and  vigorous  address  with  an  appeal  for  men  and  the 
training  of  men.  "We  must  have  men,"  he  said,  ''of 
thorough  education  both  literary  and  theological.  Our  re- 
sources for  means  must  be,  to  a  considerable  extent,  in  the 

48 


ALTON  SEMINARY.  49 

liberality  of  our  brethren  in  the  old  states,  through  the 
channel  of  the  American  Education  Society,  and  other  kin- 
dred institutions.  But  we  must  put  forth  a  helping  hand, 
and  do  all  we  can  to  aid  the  cause.  The  churches  must 
look  up  and  bring  forward  young  men  of  piety  and 
talents  in  every  denomination,  who  evince  a  call  to  the 
ministry.  The  Education  Society  must  aid  them  in  means 
of  support,  and  our  colleges  and  schools  must  furnish 
the  education  they  need.  Thus  will  this  new  and  rapidly 
populating  region,  which  is  ere  long  destined  to  occupy 
an  important  place  in  our  nation's  history,  be  supplied 
with  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament."1 

Mr.  Loomis,  the  newly  elected  principal  of  Alton  Semi- 
nary, was  present  at  the  meeting  at  which  these  senti- 
ments were  uttered.  They-  furnish  a  key  to  the  life  pur- 
pose of  both  John  M.  Peck  and  Hubbel  Loomis.  Of 
the  events  which  connect  themselves  with  the  continuance 
of  the  Rock  Spring  School  as  Alton  Seminary,  and 
with  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Loomis,  it  is  necessary  now 
to  speak.  In  words  which  they  could  not  forget,  Dr. 
Going  had  appealed  to  the  citizens  of  Alton  and  vicinity, 
imploring  them  to  pwt  their  shoulders  to  the  wheel  and 
promising  aid  from  Boston  and  other  parts  of  New 
England  to  the  extent  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  if 
they  would  contribute  from  eight  hundred  dollars  to 
one  thousand  dollars  for  a  building.  His  suggestions 
were  fruitful  of  good,  and  nearly  the  exact  amounts 
which  he  named  were  afterward  pledged  by  the 
residents  of  Alton  and  vicinity  on  the  one  hand,, 
and  by  the  Baptists  of  New  England  on  the  other, 
as  will  appear  in  the  sequel.  Dr.  Going  held  the 
unwavering  conviction  that  Upper  Alton  was  the  most 

1  First    Annual    Report    of  the   Directors  of  the  Illinois  Branch  of  the  American.' 
Educational  Society  (Jacksonville  1832),  p.  17. 


50  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

desirable  site  for  the  Seminary  building,  and  his  views 
soon  came  to  be  shared  by  the  people  in  general.  The 
•district  was  situated  on  a  plateau,  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river.  It  was  very  nearly 
in  the  exact  geographical  centre  of  the  "Great  Western 
Valley."  It  was  near  the  junction  of  the  three  mighty 
rivers,  the  Mississippi,  the  Missouri,  and  the  Illinois.  As 
steamboat  travel  was  the  most  rapid  mode  of  conveyance, 
Upper  Alton  was  readily  accessible  from  every  Western 
state,  and  from  the  Southern  states  that  bordered  upon 
any  of  the  rivers  emptying  into  the  Mississippi  or  its 
sister  streams.  Besides  these  considerations,  the  climate 
was  healthful,  the  land  in  a  fair  state  of  cultivation,  the 
country  rich  and  fertile,  the  surroundings  pleasant,  and 
the  moral  atmosphere  free  from  any  harmful  or  con- 
taminating influence.  By  virtue  of  these  many  advan- 
tages its  claims  were  decisive. 

Whatever  and  wherever  the  site,  however,  it  was  neces- 
sary that  some  strong  man  should  be  chosen  to  carry  for- 
ward the  various  phases  of  the  work.  Serious  counsels 
were  held,  and  with  these  Dr.  B.  F.  Edwards  and  Mr. 
George  Smith  were  most  intimately  identified.  At  last  a 
decision  was  reached.  In  the  midst  of  a  driving  storm  of 
rain  and  sleet,  on  the  28th  and  29th  of  February,  1832, 
Mr.  Peck  rode- many  miles  through  the  deep  mud,  from 
Alton  to  Kaskaskia,  for  the  purpose  of  persuading  the 
Rev.  Hubbel  Loomis  to  relinquish  his  teaching  at  that 
place,  and  undertake  the  establishment  of  a  school  in  Up- 
per Alton  or  its  vicinity.  The  Pioneer  felt  that  an  imme- 
diate move  in  an  educational  direction  was  absolutely 
necessary.  It  was  his  hope  that  Mr.  Loomis'  efforts  in 
beginning  a  school  and  gathering  pupils  together  would 
prove  to  be  the  wisest  method  of  conserving  those  interests 
which  were  most  vitally  involved.  The  plans  which  had 


HUBBEL  LOOMIS. 


I  ALTON  SEMINARY.  51 

already  been  set  in  motion  at  Rock  Spring  would  be  carried 
forward  without  any  long  intermission.  The  conduct  of 
such  a  school  would  also  prepare  the  way  for  the  college 
work.  It  would  prevent  the  lapse  of  the  educational  idea 
in  the  minds  of  the  people,  by  keeping  ever  before  them 
the  fact  of  the  school's  existence,  with  its  open  door  of 
privilege  for  all  their  youth.  Besides  this,  Mr.  Loomis 
would  be  on  the  ground,  and  ready  to  assume  the  duties  of 
principal  as  soon  as  the  building  then  projected  should  be 
made  ready.1 

Mr.  Loomis  had  come  from  New  England  not  long  be- 
fore'. He  was  excellently  well  qualified  for  the  respons- 
ibilities of  the  principalship,  and  was  thoroughly  inter- 
ested in  educational  concerns.  He  was  born  in  Colches- 
ter, in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  on  the  3ist  of  May,  1775, 
in  the  days  w'hen  the  rush  and  turmoil  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary struggle  were  kindling  vast  purposes  in  the  hearts 
of  the  Colonial  settlers,  and  awakening  the  genius  of  a 
new  nation.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  became  a  Christian, 
and  instantly  therewith  a  consecrated  student  of  the  Bible. 
For  more  than  eighty  years  beyond  that  time  he  was  con- 
stantly in  communion  with  the  Holy  Book.  After  his 
ordination  to  the  ministry  in  1804  he  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Willington  in 
his  native  state.  Soon  thereafter,  at  a  considerable  sac- 
rifice of  social  and  pecuniary  interests,  and  of  honored 
ecclesiastical  relations,  he  became  a  Baptist,  entering  the 
ministry  of  that  denomination  some  years  later. 

The  strength  of  early  manhood  and  middle  life  was 
spent  in  goodly  service  in  the  East.  Soon  after  he  reached 
the  age  of  fifty-five  he  emigrated  to  Illinois.  When  Mr. 
Peck  discovered  him  he  had  been  for  a  year  and  a  half  a 

'See  article,    "  Shurtleff  College,"  in  Alton  Courier  for  July  13,  1854. 


52  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

resident  of  the  town  of  Kaskaskia,  busily  occupied  in  con- 
ducting the  school  which  his  energy  had  founded.  The 
visit  of  Mr.  Peck  was  not  altogether  a  surprise  to  him,  for 
in  the  course  of  the  preceding  year  he  had  conferred  with 
Dr.  Going,  and  had  been  urged  by  that  gentleman  to  take 
*  prominent  part  in  the  educational  enterprise.  He  had 
also  attended  the  meetings  in  Rock  Spring  and  Edwards- 
ville,  at  which  the  question  of  the  removal  of  the  seminary 
was  thoroughly  canvassed.  After  some  further  corre- 
spondence Mr.  Loomis  closed  his  school  at  Kaskaskia,  and 
in  April  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Upper  Alton. 
Finding  the  outlook  for  the  establishment  of  a  school 
rather  gloomy,  he  went  on  to  Edwardsville,  and,  at  the 
urgent  request  of  Dr.  Edwards  and  others,  commenced 
a  school  in  that  town.  Edwardsville  and  Alton  were  both 
anxious  for  the  seminary,  and  very  insistent  in  their  re- 
spective claims ;  but  at  last  Dr.  Edwards,  with  the  courtesy 
and  generosity  for  which  he  was  everywhere  beloved, 
yielded  to  the  demands  of  the  Alton  people,  and  thus  the 
question  of  location  was  definitely  settled. 

The  next  problem  that  demanded  solution  was  by  no 
means  a  new  one,  even  in  the  short  history  of  Baptist 
educational  work  in  the  Prairie  State.  A  company  of  five 
gentlemen  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  William  Manning  in 
Alton  on  the  fourth  of  June,  and  grappled  with  the  ever- 
recurring  question  of  financial  support.  Before  the  meet- 
ing closed  they  had  decided  to  pledge  a  loan  of  one 
hundred  dollars  each,  to  secure  the  immediate  success  of 
the  plan  for  the  reorganized  school.  This  amount  was 
afterward  increased  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dol- 
lars each.  Arrangements  were  also  made  for  the  purchase 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  acres  of  land,  constituting 
the  tract  which  Mr.  Peck  and  Dr.  Going  had  inspected 
with  such  care  a  few  months  before,  and  which  had  been 


ALTON  SEMINARY.  53 

under  consideration  in  the  intervening  period.  Plans 
for  a  building  became  more  definite  and  a  building  com- 
mittee was  appointed  with  instructions  to  have  an  Aca- 
demic Hall  completed  by  the  first  of  December.  Articles 
of  agreement  had  been  prepared  by  Mr.  Loomis,  and  were 
signed  by  all  present.  These  articles  provided  that  a  new 
Board  of  Trustees  should  be  appointed,  consisting  of  the 
gentlemen  present  at  the  meeting,  and  six  others,  three 
of  whom  might  be  named  by  the  Union  Meeting  of  the 
Baptists  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  the  other  three  by 
the  Northern  Baptist  Education  Society.  .They  provided 
further  that  two-thirds  of  the  trustees  should  be  members 
in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church.  They  also  in- 
cluded the  financial  clause  already  indicated.1 

At  the  close  of  the  regular  quarterly  session,  Mr. 
Loomis  gave  up  his  school  in  Edwardsville,  and  in  Sep- 
tember he  started  a  school  in  the  town-house  at  Upper 
Alton,  in  accordance  with  the  previous  suggestion  of  Mr. 
Peck.  It  began  in,  a  modest  and  humble  fashion,  but  soon 
received  a  well-merited  recognition  from  the  Union  Meet- 
ing of  Baptists,  at  which  a  committee,  appointed  to  in- 
quire into  the  condition  of  the  "Literary  and  Theological 
Seminary  at  Alton,"  reported  that  "the  institution  at  Alton 
was  opened  with  encouraging  prospects."  The  transfer- 
rence  of  the  material  equipment  from  Rock  Spring  to  Up- 
per Alton  was  made  without  difficulty.  The  story  of  the 
transfer  is  briefly  and  simply  told  in  a  circular  which  was 

'The  men  who  "set  their  hands  and  seals"  to  the  agreement  were  Benjamin 
F.  Edwards,  Baptist,  Edwardsville;  Hubbel  Loomis,  Baptist,  Edwardsville;  Enoch 
Long,  Presbyterian,  Upper  Alton;  William  Manning,  Jr.,  Baptist,  Lower  Alton, 
and  Stephen  Griggs,  Baptist,  Lower  Alton.  Two  others,  George  Smith,  Baptist, 
Alton,  and  Cyrus  Edwards,  near  Alton,  signed  the  agreement  subsequently.  In 
accordance  with  the  provision  of  the  agreement,  the  members  of  the  Union  Meet- 
ing of  Baptists,  which  convened  in  Winchester  in  October,  1832,  elected  J.  M. 
Peck,  Justus  Rider  and  Dr.  Peck's  noble-hearted  and  lifelong  friend,  James 
Lemen,  to  represent  their  body  on  the  Board  of  Trustees. 


54  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

issued  in  1835,  "To  the  Friends  of  Education  and  those 
who  desire  the  advancement  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  in 
the  West."  Therein  we  have  the  statement  of  Mr.  Peck, 
at  that  time  the  financial  agent.  After  giving  an  account 
of  the  work  of  the  Rock  Spring  Seminary,  the  writer 
says :  "In  1830,  from  various  circumstances  combined, 
the  public  mind  in  Illinois  was  directed  to  the  town  of 
Alton  as  a  commercial  depot  for  an  extensive  portion 
of  the  state.  .  .  .  Upon  the  visit  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Going  to  this  country  in  1831,  a  proposition  was  made 
by  a  number  of  friends  to  remove  the  location  of  the 
seminary  from  Rock  Spring  to  Alton.  After  due  con- 
sideration, the  proposition  was  accepted,  and  the  books, 
bed  clothing  and  other  movable  property  were  trans- 
ferred under  the  name  of  a  loan  till  such  time  as  the 
affairs  of  the  old  institution  could  be  adjusted,  the  build- 
ings sold,  and  the  avails  transferred  to  Alton"1  Although 
the  seminary  building  was  not  ready  for  occupancy  the 
pupils  were  lacking  neither  in  ingenuity  nor  determina- 
tion. In  consequence  of  a  petition  on  their  part  the  trustees 
resolved  "that  the  scholars  be  permitted  to  cut  their  fire- 
wood off  of  the  seminary  land,  if  they  will  take  none  but 
wood  that  is  lying  down  on  the  ground,  and  that  they 
be  permitted  to  put  up  cabins  on  the  land  for  their  use, 
and  to  cut  the  timber  on  the  land  for  the  cabins  under 
the  direction  of  the  building  committee."2  Whether  any 
of  the  students  availed  themselves  of  this  courteous  and 
liberal  provision  is  uncertain,  although  it  is  probable  that 
several  of  these  cabins  were  erected  by  poor  but  ambitious 
young  men,  and  occupied  by  them  fdr  a  longer  or  shorter 
period. 

'See  Appendix  I,  at  the  close  of  this   volume,  which   contains  the  full  text  of 
the  circular. 

2Manuscript  Records  of  the  Trustees  of  Alton  Seminary,  1832,  p.  7. 


ALTON  SEMINARY.  55 

When  the  Board  reassembled  it  was  found  that  the 
members  of  the  building  committee  had  gone  no  farther 
with  their  work,  that  the  plans  of  the  finance  committee 
had  failed,  and  that  everything  was  at  a  standstill.  As  a 
result  of  careful  deliberation  it  was  again  decided  that 
the  seminary  building  should  be  finished,  this  time 
by  the  first  of  June,  and  that  each  trustee  should  furnish 
an  equal  quota  of  the  expense,  these  amounts  to  be  re- 
funded from  the  first  subscriptions  received,  and  the 
whole  expense  not  to  exceed  three  hundred  and  twenty 
dollars.  At  the  same  time  a  despairing  appeal  was  for- 
warded to  Dr.  Going,  asking  him  to  appoint  some  suit- 
able person  to  act  as  agent  for  the  College — as  it  had 
already  begun  to  be  called — and  to  furnish  this  agent  with 
such  facts  and  instructions  as  would  enable  him  to  lay 
the  whole  subject  with  advantage  and  success  before  the 
public.  As  soon  as  a  reply  had  been  received,  containing 
words  of  reassurance  and  sympathy,  but  no  definite  plan 
of  action,  it  was  thought  best  that  Mr.  Loomis  should 
make  a  journey  to  the  East  as  the  special  agent  of  the 
school. 

He  was  to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  four  hundred  dollars 
per  annum,  and  all  his  travelling  expenses;  and  he  was 
authorized,  if  his  expedition  were  successful,  to  confer 
with  Dr.  Going  in  regard  to  the  employment  of  additional 
instruction,  and  to  engage  one  or  two  teachers,  if  thought 
expedient.  About  two  weeks  after  this  action  of  the 
Board  the  operations  of  the  seminary  were  suspended  on 
account  of  an  epidemic  of  cholera.  Mr.  Loomis  left  in 
June  on  his  mission  to  the  East,  and  two  months  later  the 
Board  commissioned  him  to  continue  his  efforts  for  as 
long  a  period  as  he  deemed  practicable,  and  appointed 
Mr.  John  Russell,  who  had  been  principal  at  Rock  Spring, 
to  the  principalship  of  the  seminary  for  six  months. 


56  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Mr.  Russell  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  a  graduate  of 
Middlebury  College,  and  a  teacher  by  profession.  The 
sphere  of  his  labors  was  not  circumscribed,  for  he  taught 
at  different  times  in  Vermont,  Georgia,  Louisiana  and 
Missouri.  After  Mr.  Loomis'  return  from  the  East  Mr. 
Russell  and  he  had  a  slight  disagreement,  so  they  parted 
company.  Mr.  Russell  started  a  private  school  in  Upper 
Alton,  which  soon  received  a  substantial  patronage.  Quite 
a  number  of  students  followed  their  instructor,  severing 
their  connection  with  the  college.  No  two  men  could 
have  been  much  more  unlike  than  Father  Loomis  and  Mr. 
Russell.  The  one  was  precise  and  dignified,  a  terror  to 
evil-doers,  a  strict  disciplinarian,  an  indefatigable  student. 
The  other  was  impulsive  and  genial,  full  of  friendship  for 
men,  of  sprightly  wit,  never  unduly  concerned  about  the 
demands  of  exact  learning.  His  pupils  loved  him  dearly, 
though  he  did  not  always  take  the  trouble  to  transform 
them  into  profound  scholars.  He  enjoyed  the  work  of 
composing,  frequently  wrote  short  stories  and  poems,  and 
in  later  years  became  the  editor  of  The  Backzvoodsman,  a 
weekly  journal  which  he  established  at  Grafton,  near  Al- 
ton. He  also  published  several  books,  among  them  "The 
Worm  of  the  Still,"  and  "The  Serpent  Uncoiled."  The 
latter  was  a  diatribe  against  the  Universalists,  of  whom 
there  were  many  in  the  section  of  country  where  he  was 
living  at  the  time  the  book  was  written.  With  all  of  his 
generosity  and  geniality  Mr.  Russell  was  very  much  of 
a  doctrinaire,  enjoying  debate  and  entering  with  zest  into 
every  "defense  of  the  faith,"  which  he  felt  called  upon  to 
undertake.  During  Mr.  Russell's  temporary  conduct  of 
the  Alton  school  there  was  entire  harmony  on  every  hand, 
though  the  number  of  students  was  small. 

An  important  step  had  been  taken  in  the  early  part  of 
the  year — before  Mr.  Loomis'  departure  in  his  quest  for 


ALTON  SEMINARY.  57 

funds — which  requires  special  notice.  During  the  winter 
of  1828-29  Mr.  Peck  had  spent  several  weeks  in  Vandalia, 
then  the  capital  of  the  state,  seeking  to  obtain  an  act 
of  incorporation  for  the  school  at  Rock  Spring.  So 
thoroughly  did  he  canvass  the  matter  and  so  highly  was 
he  respected  by  the  leaders  of  the  political  life  of  the 
state,  that  the  act  passed  the  lower  house  without  diffi- 
culty. In  the  Senate  it  met  humiliation  and  defeat 
through  the  malevolent  spite  and  sly  manoeuvring  of  an 
anti-missionary  Baptist,  who  was  an  influential  member 
of  the  body.  Mr.  Peck  returned  to  his  home  disappointed, 
and  with  perhaps  a  little  less  faith  in  human  nature  than 
he  had  had  before.  He  had  been  wounded  in  the  house 
of  those  whom  he  hoped  were  his  friends.  Again  in 
1832  an  application  was  made  for  an  act  of  incorpora- 
tion for  Alton  College,  and  this  time  the  act  passed 
the  Senate  without  difficulty  or  opposition.  On  the 
22nd  of  February  it  came  before  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, where  it  was  very  materially  modified  by  the 
introduction  of  an  amendment,  which  provided  that  no 
professor  of  theology  should  ever  be  employed  as  a  teacher 
in  the  college,  that  no  theological  department  should  ever 
be  connected  therewith,  or  in  any  manner  attached  thereto, 
and  that  if  the  terms  of  this  proviso  were  violated  the  act 
should  be  null  and  void.  As  thus  amended  the  act  passed 
the  House  by  a  vote  of  twenty-five  to  twenty.  When  they 
came  together  in  June  the  trustees  were  undecided  with 
reference  to  the  wisdom  of  acknowledging  or  formally  ac- 
cepting such  a  charter,  and  after  some  discussion  they  left 
the  matter  for  settlement  at  some  future  meeting,  and  for 
this  settlement  it  still  waits.  It  was  the  first  charter  granted 
to  any  college  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  or  in  fact  in  any 
section  of  the  country  west  of  Indiana.  The  antagonism 
that  was  developed  in  both  of  the  contests  just  indicated, 


58  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

and  that  manifested  itself  in  prejudice  in  the  one  case 
and  suspicion  in  the  other,  is  a  fair  index  to  the  general 
conditions  with  which  educators  had  constantly  to  con- 
tend in  their  battle  for  a  broader  culture  and  a  higher 
learning. 

In  December  Mr.  Loomis  returned  from  the  East,  but 
his  success  had  not  been  noteworthy.  After  deducting 
the  amount  of  his  salary  and  expenses  there  remained 
only  four  hundred  and  ninety  dollars.  This  was  used 
to  liquidate  in  part  a  note  for  eight  hundred  dollars, 
about  to  fall  due  at  the  branch  bank  in  St.  Louis. 
The  Academic  Hall  was  now  ready  for  occupancy.  It 
was  two  stories  in  height  and  constructed  of  brick.  On 
the  ground  floor  were  the  library  and  chapel  hall,  ?.nd 
above  were  two  rows  of  dormitories.  The  accommoda- 
tions for  students  were  in  no  wise  luxurious,  for,  accord- 
ing to  the  descriptions  given,  the  dormitories  were  small, 
dark,  ill-conditioned,  and  poorly  ventilated.  The  heating 
apparatus  was  novel  if  not  admirable  in  its  conception. 
Each  room  had  a  stove,  and  all  the  pipes  from  the  sev- 
eral stoves  passed  into  a  single  pipe,  which  extended  hor- 
izontally the  entire  length  of  the  building,  over  the  hall 
separating  the  dormitories,  and  entered  a  single  flue  at 
the  extremity  of  the  building.  Of  course  the  smoke  from 
these  several  pipes  entering  a  single  channel  of  egress  re- 
sembled the  smoke  of  a  furnace.  On  days  when  wind  and 
weather  were  unfavorable  the  distressing  results  can 
readily  be  imagined.  The  building  was  afterward 
changed  and  improved.  It  stands  still  upon  its  ancient 
site,  with  the  additions  that  have  been  made  to  it  from 
time  to  time.  In  its  present  form  it  affords  a  local  habita- 
tion for  the  library  and  laboratories. 

Mr.  Loomis  was  now  authorized  by  the  Board  of 
Trustees  to  take  charge  of  the  Alton  Seminary,  and  to 


ALTON  SEMINARY.  59 

open  the  school  as  soon  as  convenient.  He  was  empow- 
ered to  employ  an  assistant,  and  was  guaranteed  an 
amount  not  to  exceed  four  hundred  dollars  per  year  for 
himself,  and  the  same  for  his  assistant,  in  case  the  tuition 
fees  of  the  students  fell  below  the  sum  of  these  amounts. 
The  terms  of  tuition  were  fixed  at  three  dollars  per  quar- 
ter for  the  English  branches  and  four  dollars  for  the 
higher  branches.  Even  the  most  critical  soul  could  cer- 
tainly found  no  charge  of  extortionate  demands  on  the 
basis  of  the  fees  that  were  exacted  from  the  students. 

To  an  ordinary  observer  the  prospects  must  have 
seemed  anything  but  brilliant,  after  Mr.  Loomis'  six 
months  of  almost  fruitless  work  abroad,  and  the  accu- 
mulation of  liabilities  at  home.  The  Board,  however,  with 
characteristic  hopefulness,  decided  to  solicit  subscriptions 
to  the  amount  of  five  hundred  dollars  or  more,  in  order  to 
build  a  boarding-house  and  workshop.  They  further  di- 
rected the  building  committee  to  put  up  an  addition  to  the 
boarding-house.  It  seems  almost  as  though  the  faith  of  the 
fathers  led  them  to  overmatch  financial  difficulties  and  lim- 
itations by  broadening  their  plans  and  increasing  their  ex- 
penditures. This,  indeed,  has  been  the  history  of  almost 
every  institution  that  has  struggled  and  triumphed  under 
denominational  auspices.  It  is  only  just  to  say  that  the 
addition  to  the  boarding-house  could  hardly  have  been 
attended  with  a  very  large  amount  of  expense,  for  the  edi- 
fice which  bore  the  altogether  respectable  title  of  "board- 
ing-house" was  in  reality  a  plain  log  cabin,  entirely  sim- 
ple, and  destitute  of  external  splendor.  Just  at  this 
time,  when  every  effort  that  was  made  for  the  betterment 
of  the  school  only  added  to  its  weight  of  indebtedness, 
and  its  friends  were  looking  anxiously  for  some  ray  of 
hope  to  illumine  the  future,  a  series  of  events  was  taking 
place  which  resulted  in  the  sure  and  permanent  estab- 
lishment of  the  institution. 


60  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

In  the  previous  year,  through  the  exertions  of  that 
noble  character,  Rev.  Jonathan  Going,  there  had  been  or- 
ganized in  the  city  of  Boston  the  Western  Baptist  Edu- 
cational Association,  for  the  purpose  of  helping  to  pre- 
serve the  West  by  educating  its  inhabitants  and  teaching 
them  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  An  efficient  corresponding 
secretary  was  found  in  the  person  of  Rev.  Bela  Jacobs, 
who  immediately  undertook  a  tour  of  inspection  through 
the  Western  States.  Upon  his  return  he  published  an 
account  of  his  trip,  in  the  course  of  which  he  called  atten- 
tion to  the  needs  of  Illinois  in  the  following  words.  "The 
Baptists  are  commencing  a  literary  and  theological  insti- 
tution at  Upper  Alton,  a  place  most  happily  situated  in 
the  very  center  of  operations,  not  only  in  relation  to  this 
state,  but  also  the  immense  state  of  Missouri.  The  trus- 
tees have  purchased  a  farm  of  between  three  hundred  and 
four  hundred  acres,  and  erected  a  small  edifice  of  sufficient 
magnitude  for  present  purposes,  but  are  entirely  destitute 
of  funds.  The  prospect  is  that  could  this  institution  but 
go  into  operation  with  several  competent  teachers  it  would 
soon  have  a  number  of  young  men  in  training  for  teachers 
for  this  destitute  region,  and  for  preachers  of  the  gospel."1 

Thus  clearly  and  forcibly  did  Mr.  Jacobs  bring  before 
the  Baptist  people  of  Massachusetts  the  needs  of  that 
western  state  for  whose  religious  and  educational  ad- 
vancement their  sympathies  and  endeavors  had  already 
been  enlisted.  But  Mr.  Jacobs  was  not  simply  a  traveller, 
nor  was  he  ever  a  mere  enthusiast  or  visionary.  Upon  his 
return  home  he  communicated  by  letter  with  the  Board  of 
Trustees  in  regard  to  the  raising  of  funds  for  the  sem- 
inary, strongly  advising  that  an  efficient  western  agent  be 

^A  Voice  from  the  West :  Rev.  Bela  Jacob's  report  of  his  tour  in  the 
western  states,  performed  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1833.  (Boston  :  J.  Howe, 
1833),  p.  15. 


ALTON  SEMINARY.  61 

appointed  to  visit  the  churches  in  the  East,  and  recom- 
mending the  selection  of  Mr.  Peck  for  that  responsible 
service.  In  January,  1835,  fiye  months  after  these  encour- 
aging suggestions  were  made,  the  figure  of  the  grand  old 
Pioneer  appears  again  in  the  forefront  of  the  conflict. 
He  proposes  that  the  Board  of  Trustees  "proceed  at  once,  • 
through  two  competent  agents,  to  raise  $25,000;  $10,000 
for  buildings ;  $7,500,  or  its  full  income,  for  salaries  of 
professors;  and  $7,500,  or  its  avails,  for  the  support  of 
beneficiary  theological  students."  Willing  enough  to  fol- 
low the  lead  of  this  proposal,  the  Board  appointed  Mr. 
Joel  Sweet  to  represent  the  seminary  in  Illinois  and  the 
adjacent  state,  and  Mr.  Peck,  at  a  salary  of  five  hundred 
dollars  a  year  and  travelling  expenses,  to  solicit  contribu- 
tions in  the  East. 

The  spirit  of  the  heroic  man  of  God  is  as  strong  and 
hopeful  as  in  the  earliest  days  of  his  ministry.  In  brave  and 
resolute  fashion  he  accepts  the  burden  that  is  thrust  upon 
him  by  his  brethren.  The  plan  for  another  financial  cam- 
paign in  the  East  was  probably  suggested  to  him,  not 
only  by  the  letter  of  Mr.  Jacobs,  but  as  well  by  conference 
with  men  whom  he  met  at  the  Convention  of  Western 
Baptists  which  assembled  in  Cincinnati  in  November. 
At  this  noteworthy  gathering  Dr.  Going  and  several 
other  gentlemen  who  were  deeply  interested  in  all  the 
affairs  of  the  Kingdom  in  the  West  considered  with  him. 
and  very  carefully,  the  whole  situation.  He  writes  in  his 
journal  that  "all  gave  as  their  decided  opinion  that  I 
should  go  to  the  Atlantic  states  in  the  spring,  spend  the 
summer,  and  collect  funds  for  the  Alton  Seminary  and 
for  the  Home  Mission."  He  adds  that  such  an  undertak- 
ing would  require  him  to  make  an  entirely  new  arrange- 
ment of  his  business  and  other  affairs ;  but  that  he  is  anx- 
ious to  submit  to  the  order  of  Divine  Providence,  in  spite 


62  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

of  the  self-devotion  and  arduous  toil  that  such  a  step  would 
involve.  This  sacrifice  of  his  personal  interests  meant  the 
resignation  of  the  office  of  general  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  work  in  the  states  of  Missouri  and  Illinois ; 
the  abandonment  of  his  plans  for  the  preparation  of  cer- 
tain important  historical  articles ;  a  long  separation  from 
home  and  family;  the  exposure 'and  risk  of  his  health, 
which  was  at  that  time  very  precarious ;  besides  the  heavy 
responsibilities  connected  with  the  mission  itself,  and 
the  attempt  to  secure  an  amount  of  money  far  greater 
than  either  he  or  Mr.  Loomis  had  succeeded  in  obtaining 
on  their  previous  expeditions.  Yet  the  school  was  at  a 
grave  crisis  in  its  history.  To  retreat  meant  disgrace.  To 
advance  without  funds  for  the  necessary  expenses  meant 
disaster  and  ruin.  The  problem  was  in  every  way  a  crit- 
ical one.  How  could  it  be  solved  ? 

Mr.  Peck  at  this  time  had  little  of  the  rashness  of 
youth.  He  cherished  no  rose-colored  fancies  of  outpour- 
ing wealth  in  answer  to  suave  suggestions.  His  pilgrim- 
age he  well  knew  would  be  no  triumphal  procession. 
With  a  full  understanding  of  the  vast  importance  and  the 
tireless  labor  which  his  task  involved,  he  decided  to 
assume  the  responsibilities  of  the  journey.  More  than 
this,  he  resolved  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the  burden  at  the 
outset,  by  assuming  four-fifths  of  the  entire  amount  to  be 
raised  as  his  share  of  the  work,  while  Mr.  Sweet  sought  to 
obtain  the  remaining  five  thousand  dollars  in  the  West. 
In  April,  1835,  Mr.  Peck  started  on  his  mission,  not,  how- 
ever, as  the  agent  of  "Alton  Seminary,"  but  of  "Alton 
College,"  for  the  school  had  been  raised,  a  few  weeks  pre- 
vious, to  the  full  dignity  and  privilege  of  charter  rights. 
The  history  of  the  school  as  Alton  Seminary  closes  there- 
fore at  this  point. 

During  the  three  years  of  its  checkejed  course  which 


ALTON  SEMINARY.  63 

have  just  been  traced,  the  school  was  subjected  to  every 
sort  of  trial,  and  new  difficulties  were  constantly  threat- 
ening, while  failure  reared  ever  its  menacing  form  in  the 
path  of  progress.  To  the  persevering  labor  of  the  prin- 
cipal, Rev.  Hubbel  Loomis,  the  continuance  of  the  life  of 
the  school  was  chiefly  due.  He  was  cheered  by  the  loyal 
co-operation  and  constant  sympathy  of  men  like  Hon. 
Cyrus  Edwards  and  his  brother,  B.  F.  Edwards,  M.  D., 
whose  practical  judgment  and  knowledge  of  men  and 
affairs  were  effective  in  shaping  the  policy  of  the  institu- 
tion. Mr.  Loomis  in  several  instances  was  the  peer  of 
his  associates  in  far-sighted  sagacity.  His  emphatic  and 
reiterated  counsel  to  invest  largely  in  lands  was  not 
heeded  sufficiently  by  the  other  members  of  the  Board. 
Previous  to  the  first  of  December,  1835,  thirty-five  hun- 
dred dollars  had  been  realized  by  the  sale  of  college  lands. 
Had  Mr.  Loomis'  advice  been  followed  and  more  land 
entered  in  the  early  '305,  the  endowment  of  the  college 
today  would  be  very  much  larger  than  it  is.  So  confident 
was  he  of  the  wisdom  of  the  plan  that  at  the  outset  he  ad- 
vanced three  hundred  dollars  for  the  purchase  of  two1 
hundred  and  forty  acres,  which  he  held  in  trust  for  the  col- 
lege. He  kept  in  reserve  six  hundred  dollars  more,  which 
he  offered  to  loan  to  the  college  at  the  customary  rate  of 
interest,  in  order  that  by  this  means  other  lands  might  be 
purchased  and  held  until  the  sure  advance  in  the  price  of 
property  should  come.  The  trustees  unfortunately  failed 
to  take  advantage  of  this  fair  and  generous  proposition. 

Mr.  Loomis  gathered  about  him  a  goodly  number  of 
students,  the  average  number  in  each  year  being  about 
seventy-five.  By  rigid  methods  and  insistence  upon  faithful 
work,  he  not  only  strengthened  their  intellectual  life,  but 
gave  the  school  an  excellent  reputation  for  thoroughness 
and  scholarship. 


04  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Among  the  students  of  the  school  in  its  earliest  days 
at  Alton  may  be  mentioned  the  now  well-known  names 
of  Hon.  Samuel  Buckmaster,  Prof.  John  C.  Loomis, 
Chief  Justice  Hugh  Murray,  Rev.  Elihu  J.  Palmer 
and  Gen.  John  M.  Palmer.  The  last-named  gen- 
tleman, enjoying  now  a  hale  and  vigorous  old  age,  has 
won  a  worthy  place  as  one  of  Illinois'  most  honored  sons. 
While  a  student  at  Alton  his  means  were  exceedingly 
limited,  and  he  speaks  today  with  placid  satisfaction  of 
his  early  struggles  to  obtain  an  education.  The  follow- 
ing extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
shows  something  of  his  spirit  and  energy :  "Resolved, 
That  the  sum  of  $20  be  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  Mr.  Palmer,  a  student,  in  erecting  a  cooper's 
shop  on  the  college  grounds,  under  the  supervision  of 
Mr.  E.  Long,  a  lien  to  hold  on  the  said  property  as  secur- 
ity."  Though  undoubtedly  giving  evidence  of  rare  gifts, 
perhaps  no  one  would  have  dreamed  that  the  poor  boy 
struggling  thus  with  stern  adversity  would  one  day  be- 
come a  general  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  army, 
Military  Governor  of  Kentucky,  Governor  of  Illi- 
nois, United  States  Senator,  and  at  last  the  candidate  of 
the  National  Democratic  party  for  the  highest  office  in 
the  gift  of  the  people,  the  Presidency  of  the  Republic.  It 
is  surely  pardonable  to  mention  with  respect  and  pride 
the  names  of  men  who  have  filled  so  large  and  honorable 
a  place  in  the  annals  of  their  country. 


HON.    JOHN    M.    PALMER. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ALTON  COLLEGE,  1835-1836. 

A  new  charter — Two  schools  with  one  head — Mr.  Peck's  embassy — In  New 
York— In  New  England — A  notable  gift— Dr.  Benjamin  Shurtleff — The 
Pioneer's  return — Lewis  Colby — Washington  Leverett — -Unfulfilled  plans. 

It  was  not  the  custom  sixty  years  ago  for  colleges  or 
universities  to  spring  into  life  full-grown  and  grandly 
equipped.  The  times  and  the  fashions  have  changed. 
Shurtleff' s  period  of  early  development  was  a  long  and 
tedious  one.  On  four  several  occasions  the  school  was 
named,  yet  the  process  of  naming  and  re-naming  had 
no  perceptible  effect  upon  its  progress,  and  many  a  year 
elapsed  before  it  grew  to  independent  and  sturdy  pro- 
portions. Three  applications  were  made  for  a  charter. 
The  first  attempt  failed,  the  second  brought  unsatisfac- 
tory results,  the  third  was  more  successful,  although  the 
conditions  of  acceptance  were  bound  by  an  arbitrary 
restriction.  The  college  was  to  establish  no  theological 
department,  under  penalty  of  forfeiture  of  its  charter. 
The  legislature  was  not  inherently  irreligious  or  uncul- 
tured. This  very  charter,  with  its  caveat  theologia, 
in  graceful  and  generous  words  gave  the  corporation 
full  permission  "to  add  as  ability  should  increase,  and 
the  interest  of  the  community  shall  require,  additional 
departments  for  the'  study  of  any  or  all  liberal  profes- 
sions." Only  the  gospel  ministry  was  regarded  as  illib- 

65 


66  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

eral,  and  was  therefore  set  under  the  ban.  Yet,  though 
they  knew  it  not,  the  suggestion  of  these  wise  law-mak- 
ers has  a  peculiar  value  for  the  student  of  history,  and 
furnishes  a  striking  commentary  on  the  undeniable  "illib- 
erality"  of  certain  members  of  the  profession  whose  right 
it  denies. 

In  the  ministry  of  that  day  in  the  West  many  of  the 
clergymen  in  all  denominations  were  decidedly  narrow 
and  short-sighted,  although  by  the  strength  of  their 
influence  they  were  able  to  permeate  the  minds  of  legis- 
lators with  their  ideas  and  desires.  The  more  liberal- 
minded  and  large-hearted  members  of  the  Methodist, 
Presbyterian  and  Baptist  denominations,  waited  together 
at  the  bar  of  legislative  favor,  praying  a  wise  decree 
for  their  respective  institutions  at  Lebanon,  Jackson- 
ville and  Upper  Alton.  Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards  waged 
a  battle  royal  for  the  Baptist  forces,  and  at  last  the 
verdict  was  published,  granting  yet  withholding.  Both 
sides  had  won  and  the  charter  was  a  curious  compro- 
mise. "Alton  College  of  Illinois"  had  been  created,  and 
thus  far  all  was  well,  but  theological  instruction  of  every 
sort  was  ruthlessly  interdicted.  Therefore,  as  the  train- 
ing of  the  rising  ministry  was  an  essential  element  in 
the  purpose  of  the  founders  and  friends,  and  could  not 
be  abandoned  without  an  entire  change  of  policy,  it  was 
necessary  to  carry  forward  two  separate  schools,  under 
distinct  governments,  and  with  separate  instruction.  The 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Alton  Seminary  surrendered  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Alton  College  (precisely  identical  in 
its  personnel)  its  entire  property;  the  old  Board  of  Trus- 
tees became  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Alton  Theologi- 
cal Seminary;  and  Mr.  Loomis  was  elected  to  the  presi- 
dency of  the  two  schools.  In  spite  of  the  apathy  of  cer- 
tain ultra-conservative  Baptists,  and  the  evil  disposition 


ALTON  COLLEGE.  67 

of  "hard-shell"  preachers,  the  Alton  School  had  many 
warm  friends  and  the  number  of  these  increased  steadily. 
Sympathy  and  vague  endorsement  are  always  more  or 
less  plentiful  in  the  life  of  a  religious  or  philanthropic 
institution.  A  kindly  and  charitable  attitude  is  comfort- 
able, convenient,  and  not  by  any  means  costly.  But  Alton 
College  had  more  than  mere  empty  expressions  of  praise 
from  its  friends.  In  view  of  the  strife  of  opposing 
elements  in  Illinois  the  resolutions  and  recommendations 
which  were  passed  from  time  to  time  were  heartily  sin- 
cere. Perhaps  the  most  loyal  expression  of  sympathy 
at  this  time  came  from  the  Illinois  Baptist  Convention, 
a  body  which  had  superseded  the  "General  Union  Meet- 
ing," while  its  purpose  and  scope  were  broader.  At 
the  first  meeting  of  this  convention  in  October,  1835, 
the  college  and  seminary  at  Alton  were  "recommended 
to  the  prayers  and  patronage  of  churches  and  the  benev- 
olent public,"  and  the  formation  of  an  educational  soci- 
ety was  strongly  advised.1 

Cheered  by  many  such  assurances  of  deepening  inter- 
est on  the  part  of  the  leaders  of  the  denomination  in 
Illinois,  Mr.  Peck  followed  his  journey  toward  the  sun- 
rise. He  laid  the  object  of  his  quest  before  many  con- 
gregations, he  addressed  churches  and  conventions,  he 
pleaded  with  individuals  of  wealth  in  every  city  that 
he  visited.  He  secured  the  passage  of  resolutions  endors- 
ing the  school,  in  several  associations,  and  in  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Soci- 
ety, whose  sessions  he  attended.  On  the  22nd  of  June 
he  sent  to  Dr.  Haskell,  the  treasurer  of  the  college,  a 


1  First  report  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Illinois  Baptist  Convention,  -with 
the  proceedings  of  the  First  Annual  Meeting  (Carrollton,   1835),"^.  4. 


68  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

draft  for  one  hundred  dollars,  and  four  weeks  later 
he  forwarded  three  hundred  dollars  more.  Nearly  all 
of  this  money  he  obtained  in  New  York  City.  Also, 
several  business  men  there  and  in  Brooklyn  proposed 
to  enter  into  a  speculation.  They  offered  to  buy  any 
or  all  of  the  lots  owned  by  the  college,  at  a  fair  value, 
and  also  to  authorize  Mr.  Peck  to  purchase  other  lots  and 
lands,  either  adjoining  Alton  or  elsewhere  in  Illinois. 
They  were  willing  to  give  to  the  college  all  the  rise  in 
value,  when  they  should  be  sold  again,  after  the  prin- 
cipal and  interest  at  six  per  cent  should  be  deducted. 
This  seemed  a  profitable  plan,  both  for  the  investors 
and  the  college.  It  failed  of  accomplishment  largely 
because  of  the  inactivity  of  the  trustees.  Mr.  Peck 
wrote  most  urgently,  requesting  them  to  meet  and  give 
tc-.  him  the  power  of  attorney  should  they  deem  it  expe- 
dient to  accept  the  offer.  The  trustees  took  no  notice 
of  his  appeal.  It  was  a  time  of  commercial  prosperity 
in  the  East.  Business  of  all  kinds  was  in  splendid  con- 
dition. An  era  of  great  building  operations  was  in 
progress.  Lands  and  lots  in  Illinois  and  adjoining  states 
were  "all  the  rage."  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars 
in  western  lands  were  passing  from  hand  to  hand  each 
day  in  Wall  street. 

Of  cash  subscriptions  the  Pioneer  received  less  than 
he  had  anticipated;  of  trustworthy  pledges  more.  He 
also  had  much  freer  access  to  the  churches  and  people 
than  he  had  expected  would  be  the  case.  Upon  the 
completion  of  his  canvass  in  New  York  he  made  his 
way  in  midsummer  to  New  England.  After  less  than 
a  month  of  labor  in  Boston  he  had  collected  and  for- 
warded four  hundred  dollars  in  cash ;  he  had  also  secured 
conditional  subscriptions,  some  for  large  amounts.  "It 
takes  a  good  while,"  he  says  in  the  course  of  a  private 


ALTON  COLLEGE.  69 

letter,  "to  get  these  Yankees  started.  They  move  slowly 
at  first,  but  they  hang  on  and  move  heavy  when  once  on  the 
track,  and  persevere.  The  Kentuckians  start  quick,  but 
fly  the  track,  or  fly  off  at  the  first  difficulty."  Although 
he  saw  very  clearly  the  need  of  twenty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars to  establish  the  college  on  a  permanent  basis,  his  pub- 
lished appeals  to  his  eastern  brethren  called  for  only  ten 
thousand.1 

In  the  very  nature  of  the  case  he  met  with  varying 
success ;  but  in  the  last  days  of  his  tour  the  weariness 
and  work  of  many  years  received  their  glorious  issue, 
and  all  his  toil  was  crowned  with  victory.  On  the  i8th 
of  September  he  sent  a  draft  for  one  thousand  dollars 
to  Dr.  Haskell,  and  a  little  later  another  for  three 
hundred  dollars  more  which  Mr.  Colby  had  collected.  The 
interest  everywhere  had  intensified.  President  Edward 
Beecher  and  Dr.  Blackburn  were  also  in  Boston  seek- 
ing to  raise  from  the  Congregationalists  and  Presby- 
terians an  endowment  fund  of  fifty  thousand  dollars 
for  Illinois  College,  but  Mr.  Peck  reported  with  con- 
siderable satisfaction  that  he  was  succeeding  better  than 
they.  He  had  reason  for  such  expressions.  In  the  let- 
ter which  accompanied  his  thousand-dollar  enclosure 
he  gave  the  first  intimation  of  the  crowning  event  of 
his  vigorous  campaign.  He  writes :  "Our  prospects 
are  brightening.  Some  very  important  negotiations  are 
going  forward,  which  I  hope  will  be  successful,  but  they 
are  not  concluded.  What  would  you  and  the  trustees 
think  of  having  the  name  Alton  College  exchanged  for 
the  name  of  some  respectable  man — which  you  know 
the  legislature  would  readily  do  if  we  requested  it — 
upon  supposition  five  or  ten  thousand  dollars  were  given 
thus  to  name  it?  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  make  disclos- 

'See  Christian  Watchman  (Boston),   issue  of  July  24,   1835. 


70  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ures.  Besides,  all  may  vanish  in  smoke,  only  I  wish 
not  to  have  you  surprised  should  such  an  event  occur. 
I  wish  nothing  said  of  this — I  leave  in  a  few  minutes 
for  Portland,  Maine." 

Matters  moved  forward  most  auspiciously.  On  the 
seventh  of  October  Mr.  Peck 'writes  again  from  Boston  to 
Dr.  Haskell :  "One  thing — you  will  be  under  necessity 
of  applying  to  the  legislature  to  alter  the  name  of  the 
College.  It  must  be  called  'Shitrtleff  College'  hereafter. 
I  have  taken  the  responsibility  in  this  matter  and  made 
a  bargain,  in  which  I  doubt  not  every  trustee  will  con- 
cur. As  I  like  to  put  you  all  on  a  wonder  I  will  not 
be  very  particular  now — but  only  observe  that  Divine 
Providence  has  already  more  than  answered  our  expec- 
tations." 

There  was  little  that  was  underhand  or  evasive  in 
the  character  of  the  Pioneer.  Overjoyed  at  the  suc- 
cess which  he  had  won  he  was  preparing  a  surprise  for 
the  trustees  on  his  return ;  but  a  comparison  of  his  two 
letters  revealed  the  sum  and  substance  of  his  secret. 
In  the  person  of  Dr.  Benjamin  ShurtlefF,  of  Boston,  he 
had  obtained  the  promise  of  a  most  generous  donation 
to  the  needy  western  school,  to  be  given  under  certain 
conditions  which  were  easily  fulfilled.  The  record  runs 
thus  in  Mr.  Peck's  journal,  under  date  of  October  6,  1835. 
"I  held  a  conversation  with  Dr.  Shurtleff  on  the  subject  of 
the  College.  He  proposed  to  give  $10,000  on  the  follow- 
ing conditions :  Five  thousand  dollars  for  building  pur- 
poses, the  college  to  be  named  Shurtleff  College,  the  other 
five  thousand  to  establish  a  professorship  of  rhetoric 
and  elocution."  Princely  gifts  to  educational  founda- 
tions were  of  very  rare  occurrence  sixty  years  ago.  Such 
an  act  of  munificence  as  that  of  Dr.  Shurtleff  would  have 
called  forth  expressions  of  gratitude  and  congratulation, 


ALTON  COLLEGE.  71 

even  if  the  beneficiary  had  been  an  old  and  well-established 
eastern  institution.  For  the  feeble  and  struggling  school 
on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  it  meant  new  life  and 
equipment  for  splendid  service. 

Dr.  Shurtleff  was  a  physician,  resident  in  the  city  of 
Boston,  a  man  of  scholarly  tastes  and  a  graduate  of 
Brown  University  in  the  class  of  1796.  He  was  born 
at  Carver,  Mass.,  in  the  year  1774.  His  medical 
studies  were  pursued  at  Harvard  University,  where 
he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Medicine  in  1802, 
and  that  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1811.  He  became 
a  prominent  and  wealthy  citizen  of  the  old  Bay  State, 
and  was  always  known  as  a  friend  and  patron  of  higher 
education.  He  died  in  Boston  on  the  I2th  of  April, 
1847.  His  son,  Nathaniel  Bradstreet  Shurtleff,  a  man 
of  fine  literary  attainments  and  the  author  of  several 
valuable  historical  works,  was  the  mayor  of  Boston  from 
1868  to  1870.  Several  other  members  of  the  family 
have  attained  positions  of  considerable  eminence.  So 
the  name  of  Shurtleff  is  a  familiar  one  in  the  East  as 
well  as  in  the  West.  Benjamin  Shurtleff  was  a  loyal 
American  and  a  firm  believer  in  Christian  education,  but 
was  unhampered  by  narrow  sectarian  principles.  These 
facts  very  readily  appear  in  the  stipulation  connected 
with  his  gift  of  five  thousand  dollars  toward  the  endow- 
ment of  a  professorship,  that  the  incumbent  of  the  chair 
should  be  "an  able  man  of  good  morals,  who  is  a  friend 
to  the  Christian  religion,  without  regard  to  his  pecu- 
liar Christian  sentiments,  the  college  from  which  he  may 
have  graduated,  or  the  country  that  gave  him  birth,  pro- 
vided he  be  a  citizen  of  the  United  States." 

The  agent  of  the  college  was  assisted  in  his  solici- 
tations by  Mr.  Lewis  Colby,  whom — by  virtue  of  the 
authority  entrusted  to  him — he  had  selected  as  profes- 


72  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

sor  of  theology  in  the  newly-established  seminary  at 
Upper  Alton.  Together  they  succeeded  in  obtaining, 
by  donations,  collections,  and  subscriptions,  upwards  of 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  the  entire  amount  for  which 
the  Board  had  planned  and  hoped.  It  was  a  great 
achievement.  In  November  the  sturdy  Pioneer  came  for 
the  third  time  from  the  East  to  Illinois,  having  travelled 
— with  all  his  swift  journey  ings  to  and  fro  in  New  Eng- 
land and  the  Middle  States — almost  six  thousand  miles 
within  less  than  eight  months.  Nearly  all  of  his  tour, 
both  going  and  returning,  was  made  on  horseback,  over 
rough  roads,  and  in  every  kind  of  weather.  But  the 
method  of  travel  meant  little  to  the  Pioneer  if  the  ends 
he  aimed  at  could  be  gained.  In  November,  1817,  John 
M.  Peck  brought  Baptist  Home  Missions  to  Illinois. 
In  November,  1826,  exactly  nine  years  later,  he  returned 
from  an  eventful  trip  in  the  eastern  states,  bringing 
with  him  the  Rock  Spring  Seminary.  Exactly  nine  years 
later,  in  November,  1835,  he  returned  with  Shurtleff 
College. 

On  his  passage  through  the  state  of  Ohio  he  attended 
the  second  anniversary  of  the  General  Convention  of 
Western  Baptists  at  Cincinnati.  At  this  meeting  Dr. 
Going  proposed  a  resolution  expressing  satisfaction  at 
the  success  attending  the  efforts  of  the  trustees  and 
the  agency.  In  an  announcement  in  the  minutes  of  the 
convention  the  policy  and  work  of  the  college  were  out- 
lined. According  to  this  statement,  which  was  probably 
inserted  at  the  instance  of  Dr.  Peck,  the  course  of  study 
was  designed  to  be  as  thorough  and  as  extended  as  that 
of  any  college  in  the  United  States.  The  preparatory 
department,  open  to  students  of  any  age  and  acquire- 
ments, \vas  intended  to  fit  boys  for  college  or  to  pre- 
pare them  directly  for  the  business  of  life.  Opportuni- 


ALTON  COLLEGE.  73 

ties  were  to  be  provided  for  both  a  classical  and  an 
English  education.  The  entire  expenses  were  not  to 
exceed  eighty  dollars  per  annum. 

After  tarrying  for  a  portion  of  one  day  at  his  home 
in  Rock  Spring,  Air.  Peck  made  his  way  to  Upper  Alton. 
Affairs  had  "moved  with  slow,  uneven  step"  at  the  col- 
lege during  his  absence.  The  trustees  had  been  rest- 
ing in  hope.  For  years  their  labors  had  been  onerous 
and  perplexing,  and  they  had  every  confidence  in  the 
agent  who  was  pushing  their  interests  with  such  zeal. 
So  they  folded  their  hands  and  awaited  his  return  with 
tranquil  expectancy. 

They  had  held  not  a  single  meeting  during  his  absence, 
but  they  convened  on  the  day  of  his  home  coming.  The 
committee  which  had  been  appointed  to  arrange  the  terms 
of  compact  between  the  seminary  and  college  boards  was 
not  ready  to  report.  The  committee  to  prepare  by-laws 
for  the  seminary  board  had  done  nothing.  The  west- 
ern agent  had  won  no  laurels  and  his  work  had  been 
to  all  intents  and  purposes  a  failure.  The  building  com- 
mittee had  stood  still,  though  in  letter  after  letter  the 
Pioneer  had  entreated  them  to  push  the  work,  and  have 
all  the  rooms  ready  for  occupancy  at  the  opening  of  the 
autumn  term.  The  spirit  of  inaction  held  sway.  Noth- 
ing daunted,  Mr.  Peck  laid  before  the  members  of  the 
Board  a  full  report  of  his  work  and  renewed  their 
hearts  by  his  spirited  words.  Into  all  plans  and  under- 
takings he  immediately  entered  with  all  his  wonderful 
energy,  taking  up  his  residence  for  the  time  in  the  log 
cabin  boarding-house,  and  directing  all  branches  of  the 
institution.  His  biographer  says  of  his  labors  at  this 
time :  "One  day  he  records  himself  as  engaged  in  pre- 
paring for  the  boarding-house  of  the  college,  and  arrang- 
ing the  buildings  and  improvements ;  drawing  plans  for 


74  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

outbuildings,  etc.  The  next  he  was  making  out  an 
approximation  toward  what  must  be  charged  for  the 
board  of  the  students.  .  .  .  With  forming  rules 
for  the  preparatory  department  and  getting  with  diffi- 
culty a  quorum  of  the  trustees  to  act  on  matters  of 
most  pressing  importance,  as  well  as  an  engagement  to 
supply  the  church  in  Alton  three  Sabbaths  in  the  month, 
and  strive  to  arouse  them  and  call  back  a  scattered  con- 
gregation, occupied  the  chief  of  his  time  and  efforts 
during  the  closing  weeks  of  the  year  1835. "* 

Mr.  Loomis  and  Mr.  Colby  were  associated  in  the 
conduct  of  both  the  college  and  theological  seminary 
throughout  the  remainder  of  the  academic  year,  while 
Rev.  Zenas  B.  Newman  assisted  in  the  preparatory 
department  of  the  college.  The  employment  of  Mr. 
Colby  was  in  every  way  fortunate.  Mr.  Peck  pronounced 
him  "exactly  the  right  sort  of  a  man  for  the  position," 
and  the  history  of  his  service  at  Alton  abundantly  cor- 
roborated this  opinion.  He  was  a  young  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  culture.  .  He  was  small  in  stature,  but 
sturdy  in  mental  and  moral  character.  Beyond  this  he 
was  an  active,  wide-awake,  driving  fellow,  who  could 
bring  things  to  pass.  He  had  served  for  one  year  as 
agent  of  the  Massachusetts  Sunday-school  Union.  Mr, 
Peck  had  engaged  him  only  after  careful  consultation 
with  many  friends  of  education,  and  with  the  members 
of  the  Newton  faculty.  It  was  arranged  that  his  sal- 
ary should  be  four  hundred  dollars  a  year.  In  addition  he 
and  his  wife  were  to  receive  their  board  and  the  rental 
of  two  rooms  in  the  building  then  being  erected, 
together  with  necessary  fuel.  His  duties  were  to  be 
fourfold.  He  was  to  give  special  attention  to  the 

^Memoir,  etc.,  by  Rufus  Babcock,  pp.  267-268. 


ALTON  COLLEGE.  75 

instruction  of  students  for  the  ministry  in  theological 
subjects;  to  superintend  the  general  religious  training 
of  all  pupils  of  the  college;  to  conduct  such  classes  as 
should  not  be  otherwise  provided  for;  and  to  super- 
vise the  discipline  of  the  school,  with  the  aid  of  the 
other  professors.  His  salary  was  to  be  raised  time  by 
time  as  the  institution  prospered.  Again  and  again  the 
Pioneer  wrote  to  the  trustees  requesting  them  to  con- 
firm this  agreement.  They  gave  consent  by  their  silence : 
after  his  return  and  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Colby  they  con- 
firmed the  action  by  formal  vote. 

In  January,  1836,  a  young  man  was  called  to  the 
professorship  of  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy 
whose  life  was  destined  to  be  closely  intertwined  with 
the  history  and  experiences  of  the  College  for  more  than 
half  a  century.  In  a  letter  which  he  wrote  from  Bos- 
ton in  the  summer  preceding  Mr.  Peck  had  said :  "A  stu- 
dent at  Newton  by  the  name  of  Leverett,  brother 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Leverett  of  Roxbury,  is  recommended  to 
me  for  professor  of  mathematics.  He  has  been  a  tutor 
in  Brown  University  and  stands  high  as  a  scholar  and 
teacher.  He  is  very  modest  and  retiring." 

When  Washington  Leverett  came  to  Alton  from  his 
boyhood  home  in  New  England  he  was  thirty-one  years  of 
age,,  and  in  the  flush  and  prime  of  his  vigorous  young 
manhood.  He  had  graduated  at  Brown  University  in 
the  class  of  1832,  taking  the  highest  honors  of  his  class, 
and  had  afterwards  completed  the  regular  course  of 
study  at  the  Newton  Theological  Institution,  where  he 
also  distinguished  himself  as  a  student.  In  the  period 
between  his  academic  and  theological  courses  he  had 
taught  for  one  year  in  Brown  University  and  for  the 
same  length  of  time  in  the  Columbian  College  at  Wash- 
ington. He  brought  to  the  service  of  the  College  the 


76  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

double  gift  of  sound  scholarship  and  exalted  Christian 
character.  The  customary  salary  of  four  hundred  dollars 
was  attached  to  the  professorship  which  Mr.  Leverett  was 
invited  to  fill. 

At  about  the  same  time  a  resolute  effort  was  made 
to  obtain  the  services  of  Rev.  Baron  Stow  as  presi- 
dent. The  trustees  of  the  college  addressed  a  respect- 
ful, earnest,  and  Christian  appeal  to  the  Second  Baptist 
Church  of  Boston,  requesting  their  consent  to  the  removal 
of  their  pastor;  but  the  appeal  and  the  effort  failed  of 
their  purpose.  In  the  same  month  in  which  Mr.  Lev- 
erett was  called,  the  charter  of  the  institution  was 
amended,  and  "Alton  College  of  Illinois"  became  "Shurt- 
leff  College." 

Two  features  in  the  plan  of  the  trustees  of  Alton  Col- 
lege were  never  brought  into  full  working  order.  As 
in  the  case  of  many  similar  ventures  in  other  schools, 
the  manual  labor  department,  allowed  by  the  charter  for 
the  purpose  of  lessening  the  expense  of  education  and 
promoting  the  health  of  the  students,  proved  to  be  more 
feasible  in  theory  than  in  fact.  It  was  decided  by  the 
authorities  that  the  labor  should  take  the  form  of  horti- 
culture, and  such  other  occupations  as  might  be  found 
convenient  and  profitable.  It  was  explicitly  decreed  that 
no  student  should  receive  aid  from  the  beneficiary  fund 
who  did  not  earn  at  least  one-half  the  amount  of  his  grant 
by  personal  effort.  This  compromise  was  a  worry  to 
the  students  and  caused  increasing  dissatisfaction 
among  them.  It  was  an  unaccustomed  burden  and 
an  additional  perplexity  to  the  trustees  who  planned  the 
scheme,  and  a  course  of  tremendous  anxiety  and  respons- 
ibility to  the  already  overworked  professors,  whose  duty 
it  became  to  guide  the  needy  students  in  the  way  of 
"horticulture  and  mechanical  arts."  Those  who  asked 


ALTON  COLLEGE.  77 

for  bread  were  given  manual  labor,  under  the  direction 
of  men  whose  experience  in  agricultural  and  horticul- 
tural pursuits  was  limited  for  the  most  part  to  the  dig- 
ging of  Greek  and  Latin  roots.  In  view  of  the  many 
obstacles  which  the  plan  presented  the  attempt  to  carry- 
forward the  manual  labor  idea  was  abandoned  at  once 
and  forever. 

Previous  to  the  change  in  the  name  of  the  institution 
a  strong  effort  was  made  to  establish  a  school  that  should 
meet  the  increasing  demand  in  certain  quarters  for  the 
education  of  women.  Accordingly  the  gentlemen  who 
had  led  in  the  management  of  Alton  College  were  incor- 
porated as  the  trustees  of  the  Alton  Female  Institute.1 
At  Upper  Alton,  in  the  county  of  Madison,  under  the 
wing  of  the  College  and  the  theological  seminary,  the 
new  school  was  to  have  its  home.  Not  for  many 
a  year,  however,  did  either  a  school  for  women  or 
co-educational  advantages  in  the  College  form  a  part  of 
the  practical  workings  of  the  Alton  institutions. 

1For  the  Charter  in  full  form  see  Laws  of  Illinois,  (Vandalia,  1836),  pp. 
178-189. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  EARLY  YEARS  OF  SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE,  1836-1841. 

The  rise  of  other  Baptist  schools — The  Illinois  Education  Society — The  first  fac- 
ulty meeting — School  routine — Wanted:  a  President — A  lax  official — Plans 
for  a  building — College  and  Academy — Principal  Warren  Leverett — Two 
schools  become  one — The  Medical  Department — Found:  a  President — Gideon 
B.  Perry  and  his  ways. 

The  territory  that  was  tributary  to  Shurtleff  College 
in  its  specific  function  as  a  Baptist  educational  institu- 
tion, comprised  the  entire  country  west  of  the  Ohio  river. 
The  largest  support  was  expected  from  the  prosperous 
states  of  Illinois  and  Missouri. 

When  the  seminary  at  Rock  Spring  was  established 
there  was  no  vestige  of  a  Baptist  college  or  of  a  Baptist 
school  of  any  sort  or  rendition  between  the  western 
boundary  of  the  state  of  New  York  and  the  Pacific  slope. 
In  December,  1831,  the  Granville  Literary  and  Theo- 
logical Institution,  founded  by  the  Ohio  Baptist  Edu- 
cational Society,  began  operations  at  Granville.  It  was 
afterward  incorporated  as  a  college,  and  in  1835  instruc- 
tion to  sophomores  and  freshmen  was  commenced.  In 
Indiana  the  beginnings  of  Baptist  educational  work  were 
made  on  the  fifth  of  June,  1834.  A  number  of  friends 
of  higher  education  gathered  at  the  Baptist  meeting- 
house in  Indianapolis,-  discussed  the  pressing  needs  of 
the  times,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  consti- 
tution and  select  a  site  for  a  school.  Thus  began  the 

78 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  79 

Indiana  Baptist  Institution,  which  was  incorporated  in 
1835  as  the  Indiana  Baptist  Manual  Labor  Institute,  and 
was  rechartered  ten  years  later  as  Franklin  College.  No 
Baptist  college  was  established  west  of  Illinois  until  Dr. 
William  Jewell — like  Benjamin  Shurtleff  a  "beloved  physi- 
cian"— gave  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  endowment  of 
the  College  which  bears  his  name,  and  which  received  its 
charter  in  1849  from  the  legislature  of  Missouri. 

Thus,  with  its  financial  affairs  in  excellent  condition, 
with  a  fair  field  and  no  sturdy  rivals  to  contend  its  pas- 
sage onward  and  upward,  Shurtleff  became  a  child  of 
promise  and  the  hope  of  the  denomination  in  the  state. 
At  this  time  also  there  arose  a  new  and  powerful  allv. 
Just  before  Mr.  Peck's  journey  to  the  East  the  Baptist 
Convention  of  Illinois  had  recommended  the  College  to 
the  prayers  and  patronage  of  the  churches.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  a  special  meeting  of  the  convention  was 
called  in  Springfield,  and  in  connection  with  its  ses- 
sions there  was  organized  the  Illinois  Baptist  Education 
Society.  During  all  the  years  the  work  of  this  body 
has  been  of  great  value  to  the  school.  It  has  been  instru- 
mental in  promoting  the  interests,  not  only  of  the  theo- 
logical department,  but  of  Shurtleff  College  in  all  its 
schools  and  in  all  its  activities. 

In  June,  1836,  Mr.  Loomis  resigned  his  position  as 
principal  of  Alton  College,  after  having  served  the  insti- 
tution faithfully  and  well  for  a  period  of  nearly  four 
years.  With  the  opening  of  the  autumn  term  Professor 
Washington  Leverett  and  Mr.  Newman  were  in  their 
places  and  ready  for  work.  Mr.  Leverett  was  acting- 
president  of  the  college  and  Messrs.  Colby  and  New- 
man had  charge  of  the  other  departments.  The  earliest 
regular  meeting  of  the  reorganized  faculty  was  held  on 
the  second  of  November.  The  first  matter  that  came  before 


8o  THE  'PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

that  body  for  adjustment  was  a  question  of  discipline. 
That  some  boys  were  rough  and  unruly  sixty  years  ago 
appears  clearly  from  the  story  of  the  unpleasant  occur- 
rence which  first  called  the  faculty  of  Shurtleff  together. 
A  disturbance  arose  between  two  of  the  boys  over  the 
possession  of  a  chair,  which  each  claimed  as  his  own 
property.  One  resisted  the  other's  claims  by  attacking 
him  with  the  chair  and  he  retaliated  by  threatening  to 
stab  his  friend.  After  examining  several  students  who 
witnessed  the  affair,  and  considering  the  matter  in  its 
various  phases,  the  faculty  decided  to  administer  a  "pri- 
vate admonition"  to  one  and  a  "public  admonition"  to 
the  other.  It  is  worthy  of  notice  that  both  young  men 
were  honorable  enough  to  confess  their  fault  on  the 
simple  demand  of  the  faculty,  without  the  necessity  of 
parley  or  threat  on  the  part  of  the  latter  body. 

The  work  of  the  school  was  carefully  planned  and  sys- 
tematically arranged.  The  regular  school  exercises  be- 
gan each  morning  at  eight  and  continued  until  twelve. 
In  the  afternoon  they  extended  from  two  until  five.  The 
bell  for  evening  study-hours  rang  at  seven,  and  during  the 
two  succeeding  hours  no  student  was  allowed  to  leave  his 
room.  Attendance  at  morning  prayers  was  compulsory, 
and  a  monitor  was  appointed 'every  Monday  morning  to 
report  absences  from  this  religious  service  during  the 
ensuing  week.  The  question  of  discipline  was  thus  an 
important  feature  in  the  life  of  the  college.  By  formal 
laws,  announced  and  emphasized  from  time  to  time,  the 
students  were  forbidden  to  throw  any  ball  or  other  mis- 
sile within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  college  buildings, 
to  abstract  food  from  the  kitchen,  or  to  assemble  in  the 
public  streets  for  purposes  of  amusement;  and  they 
were  required  to  make  their  beds  and  sweep  their  rooms 
every  morning  before  nine  o'clock.  They  were  allowed  "to 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  8l 

bathe  in  Wood  river  or  elsewhere  three  times  each  week, 
but  not  oftener."  The  teachers  took  charge  of  the  admin- 
istration of  discipline  in  regular  rotation  and  bound  them- 
selves to  visit  each  student's  room  at  least  once  every 
evening,  except  Sunday. 

These  routine  duties  were  doubtless  distasteful,  yet 
the  faithfulness  of  the  faculty,  in  the  least  things  and 
in  the  greatest,  in  discipline  and  teaching  and  general 
administration,  was  the  bulwark  and  life  of  the  school 
in  all  this  period.  They  were  animated  by  a  genuine 
love  of  the  work  and  of  the  students.  Their  salaries 
were  meagre  and  their  chief  source  of  support  the  fees 
of  the  pupils.  There  were  no  scholarships  in  that  early 
day,  but  in  April,  1837,  the  College  Board  voted  to 
grant  free  tuition  to  all  beneficiaries  who  were  prepar- 
ing for  the  gospel  ministry.  This  rule  has  continued 
in  force  ever  since,  although  it  was  first  made  in  con- 
sideration of  services  rendered  to  Shurtleff  College  by 
the  professor  in  the  Alton  Theological  Seminary.  At 
this  time  also  a  valuable  piece  of  real  estate,  situated 
in  Upper  Alton  and  comprising  one  hundred  acres,  was 
donated  to  the  college  by  the  Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards.  This 
property  yielded  a  rental  of  one  hundred  and  forty  dollars 
per  annum. 

After  a  second  fruitless  effort  to  secure  the  services 
of  Dr.  Stow  as  president  the  thoughts  of  the  trustees 
turned  longingly  toward  the  man  who  had  shown  so 
deep  an  interest  in  the  earlier  history  of  their  educa- 
tional work.  They  accordingly  extended  a  call  to  Rev. 
Jonathan  Going,  of  New  York,  urging  him  to  assume 
the  duties  of  the  presidency,  at  a  salary  of  six  hundred 
dollars,  besides  his  expenses  Altonwards.  A  supplemental 
salary  was  arranged,  with  a  view  to  his  work  as  a 
teacher  in  the  school  of  theology.  Fearful  of  his 


82  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

refusal  Dr.   Peck  buttressed  the  official  communication 
from  the  Board  with  the  following  urgent  words. 

"You  have  heard  from  the  proper  organ,  our  secre- 
tary, that  you  have  been  unanimously  elected  president 
of  Shurtleff  College,  and  professor  of  Christian  theology 
of  Alton  Theological  Seminary — Salary  $600.00  for  the 
presidency  and  $400.00  for  professorship — the  latter 
secured  for  five  years,  the  former  will  be  paid  promptly 
each  quarter.  The  college  out  of  debt,  or  notes  enough 
to  pay  all  existing  contracts — valuable  landed  property. 
The  Shurtleff  fund — $5,000.00  for  building,  $5,000.00 
for  professorship,  interest  accumulating  the  principal — 
a  valuable  landed  property  valued  $10,000.00  given  by 
Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards,  which  will  sell  as  soon  as  business 
revives.  Students  coming  in  for  complete  course  as 
many  as  we  have  room  to  accommodate.  Several  now 
connected  with  the  institution  and  that  need  your  imme- 
diate labors  to  train  them  for  the  ministry.  Many  prom- 
ising young  men  recently  converted  in  the  blessed  revivals 
now  prevailing  through  Missouri  and  Illinois,  whose 
minds  are  inquiring  for  the  path  of  duty — our  churches 
in  both  states  manifesting  every  month  increasing  inter- 
est in  the  college  and  in  ministerial  education — a  pow- 
erful revival  at  Upper  Alton  and  between  forty  and  fifty 
baptized — these  and  a  great  many  more  considerations 
press  on  my  mind  that  you  are  called  in  Providence  to 
this  field,  and  ought  to  accept  and  come  out  this  fall. 
The  people  everywhere  will  be  highly  gratified.  We  do 
not  expect  you  will  need  to  perform  much  of  the  usual 
literary  services  of  president.  But  we  need  greatly  your 
influence,  weight  of  character,  and  skill  in  planning, 
shaping  up  and  building  up  both  institutions.  In  the 
theological  concern  we  need  immediate  service — not  in 
the  regular  and  advanced  studies,  for  our  boys  will  not 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  83 

get  there  for  some  time — but  in  moulding,  training,  and 
keeping  up  a  strong,  decided  religious  influence.  We 
need  greatly  your  aid  in  our  mission  and  education  oper- 
ations. Our  convention  much  needs  an  efficient  chair- 
man of  its  committee  at  Alton.  And  you  will  be  sur- 
prised at  the  rapid  advances  our  churches  and  people 
are  making  in  every  good  work." 

It  was  a  most  favorable  time  for  the  commencement 
of  a  progressive  upbuilding  at  ShurtlefF.  The  presence 
of  a  commanding  mind  was  essential  to  the  fullest  real- 
ization of  the  opportunities  which  day  by  day  presented 
themselves.  But  another  call  which  he  had  just  received 
seemed  more  urgent,  so  _after  earnest  deliberation  he 
declined  the  invitation  of  the  Alton  trustees.  His  prin- 
cipal reason,  he  explained,  "is  the  conviction  that  the 
condition  of  Shurtleff  College  is  far  more  eligible  than 
that  of  the  Granville  Literary  and  Theological  Institu- 
tion, and  that  there  will  be  much  less  difficulty  in  sup- 
plying the  place  in  the  former  than  in  the  latter.  A 
suitable  man  may  be  obtained  for  Alton,  but  unless  I 
go  to  Granville  I  greatly  fear  that  the  place  will  remain 
vacant,  perhaps  the  Institution  go  down — a  calamity 
greatly  to  be  deprecated,  and  one  which  my  conscience 
will  not  allow  me  to  witness  if  any  labor  or  sacrifice  of 
mine  can  prevent  it."  That  the  decision  which  Dr. 
Going  finally  made  was  not  easily  reached  is  conclusively 
shown  by  the  statement  of  Professor  Warren  Leverett, 
who  called  upon  him  in  New  York,  just  before  his 
departure,  and  who  afterward  said :  "I  found  him  with 
his  books  and  furniture  all  packed,  and  sitting  in  their 
midst,  waiting  for  the  Lord  to  tell  him  whether  to  go 
to  Shurtleff  or  Granville."  When  the  decision  was 
announced  at  Alton  the  trustees  were  disheartened,  Mr. 
Peck  crestfallen,  the  friends  of  the  school  very  grievously 
disappointed. 


84  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

The  College  was  suffering  daily  for  lack  of  an  official 
head.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  in  March,  1838,  it 
was  decided  wise  to  appoint  the  Rev.  Dwight  Ives  to 
visit  the  Baptist  Convention  at  New  York  in  May  and 
endeavor  to  procure  a  suitable  man  for  the  vacant  office. 
Mr.  Ives  had  recently  come  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Alton,  and  was  a  pillar  of  strength  to 
the  College.  He  obeyed  the  voice  of  the  trustees  and 
attended  the  convention,  but  met  with  no  success  in  his 
special  mission.  So  for  the  three  following  years  as 
for  the  two  preceding  Shurtleff  remained  without  a 
chief.  During  this  entire  period  the  duties  of  admin- 
istration were  borne  by  Professor  Leverett,  in  addition 
to  his  other  labors  in  the  school.  He  performed  cheer- 
fully and  well,  with  characteristically  unselfish  devotion, 
the  work  of  two  ordinary  men.  Under  such  conditions 
it  was  impossible  for  him,  bound  as  he  was  by  his  class- 
room duties,  to  represent  the  College  throughout  the  state, 
yet  such  representation  was  at  that  time  the  greatest  and 
most  pressing  need. 

There  were  difficulties  within  the  Board  which  caused 
perplexity  and  dissatisfaction  at  this  time,  owing  to  the 
careless  methods  of  bookkeeping  followed  by  the  treas- 
urer. There  was  evidently  no  misappropriation  of  funds 
or  intentional  inaccuracy,  but  simply  inattention  and  lack 
of  business  acumen,  producing  confusion  and  threaten- 
ing disaster.  The  treasurer  was  asked  to  appoint  a 
competent  person  to  examine,  arrange,  and  audit  his 
accounts,  and  show  in  succinct  and  careful  fashion  the 
number  and  extent  of  the  lots  and  lands  which  had  been 
sold  by  the  College,  the  prices  at  which  they  had  been 
sold,  the  sums  that  had  been  paid  and  those  that  were 
still  due,  the  species  of  security  for  every  debt,  the 
amount  of  subscriptions,  collections  and  donations  that 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  85 

had  been  received,  with  the  names  of  the  donors,  and 
the  objects  for  which  their  gifts  had  been  made  or 
pledged,  together  with  all  other  items  connected  with 
the  financial  condition  and  management  of  the  institu- 
tion, including  the  amounts  received  from  tuition  bills 
and  the  boarding  department,  and  paid  for  salaries  and 
all  other  purposes.  The  treasurer  entirely  ignored  the 
directions  which  were  given  him.  At  the  end  of  another 
year  the  Board  took  matters  into  its  own  hands  and 
appointed  an  auditor;  but  no  report  was  ever  made  by 
him,  and  it  is  not  probable  that  he  ever  examined  the 
accounts. 

On  the  24th  of  April,  1839,  ^e  governing  body 
decided  to  erect  a  sightly  and  commodious  building 
that  should  serve  the  growing  needs  of  the  College  for 
many  years.  The  movement  which  resulted  at  once  in  the 
inauguration  of  a  plan  for  the  erection  of  the  Dormitory 
was  a  direct  and  immediate  outcome  of  a  suggestion  of  the 
Pioneer.  Less  than  a  week  before  the  meeting  just  referred 
to  he  had  written  to  the  president  of  the  Board,  expressing 
his  views  in  plain  language.  He  saw  two  prime  necessities 
in  the  work  at  the  juncture  to  which  it  had  come — an  agent 
and  a  building.  The  agent  was  the  means,  the  building 
the  end.  The  provision  for  students'  needs  was  insuffi- 
cient. Preparations  should  be  made  "this  season"  to  put 
up  a  college  building.  With  characteristic  energy  he 
demands  decisive  action  at  once.  The  lumber,  he  goes 
on  to  explain,  should  be  purchased  on  the  Allegheny  or 
Ohio  river.  It  should  be  brought  to  Alton  and  placed 
for  seasoning,  in  readiness  for  use  the  following  win- 
ter. The  question  of  material  should  be  settled  without 
delay.  If  the  lot  should  fall  in  favor  of  brick  a  large 
kiln  should  be  made  near  the  premises.  If  stone  should 
be  preferred  it  ought  to  be  quarried  as  speedily  as  possible 


86  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

and  hauled  to  the  College  grounds.  Economy  would 
probably  suggest  to  the  trustees  the  advantage  of  import- 
ing mechanics  and  laborers  from  the  eastern  states. 
Thus  in  the  mind  of  the  Pioneer  the  scheme  of  a  building, 
which  the  trustees  had  only  dreamed  about,  and  that  in 
a  vague  and  casual  way,  immediately  became  a  workable 
plan,  and  clothed  itself  with  practical  reality. 

In  a  similarly  indefinite  way  the  trustees  had  been 
talking  about  the  advisability  of  selling  lots  of  land  in 
order  to  secure  funds  to  pay  their  debts  and  prosecute 
their  work.  Thereupon,  to  the  incidental  remark,  "I 
understand  that  you  have  resolved  to  sell  $5,000  worth 
of  lots,"  the  Pioneer  adds  the  pregnant  question,  "How  ?" 
Without  waiting  for  an  answer  he  transforms  ideality 
into  tangibility  by  tracing  in  large  relief  a  plan  of  cam- 
paign. He  speaks,  in  effect,  as  follows,  and  his  words 
are  sledge-hammer  blows,  driving  firmly  and  deeply  the 
thoughts  which  form  the  outline  of  his  policy : 

"Employ  an  agent.  Apply  through  him  to  gentlemen 
in  Alton  and  this  country  for  donations  in  lots  and  other 
property.  Give  this  agent  full  power  of  attorney  to  make 
sales  of  lots  owned  by  the  College.  Send  him  to  the 
Atlantic  states.  Let  him  get  a  lithographic  print  of  the 
twro  Altons  and  surrounding  country,  with  the  College 
property  carefully  indicated.  Let  him  secure  certificates 
of  responsible  parties,  attesting  the  quality  and  value  of 
the  lands.  Thus  armed  and  equipped,  let  the  agent  visit 
those  persons  of  wealth  to  whom  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances he  would  apply  for  donations.  He  will  find 
plenty  of  persons  ready  to  buy  these  lots  at  good  figures. 
He  should  arrange  such  terms  as  one-third  cash,  one- 
third  of  balance  in  six  months  and  one-third  in  twelve 
months." 

After    going    further    into    detail,    Mr.    Peck    returns 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.          87 

to  the  elemental  question,  saying:  "You  need  $15,000  for 
a  building.  You  have  $5,000  in  the  Shurtleff  fund. 
You  must  raise  $10,000.  You  must  provide  it  this  season. 
You  cannot  do  it  without  an  agent.  Then  you  will  need 
an  agent  every  moment  the  building  is  going  forward.  A 
building  committee  will  not,  cannot  superintend  'the 
business  as  it  should  be  done.  Sound  economy,  rigid 
economy,  requires  an  agent.  This  agent  also  by  personal 
visits  and  correspondence  should  bring  in  scholars."  The 
writer  is  not  seeking  to  secure  a  place  for  himself,  al- 
though, as  experience  had  proved,  no  person  could  better 
perform  the  duties  of  an  agent  for  the  College.  He  has  in 
mind  Professor  Colby.  Very  reluctantly,  but  at  last  very 
positively,  he  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  this  gentle- 
man should  relinquish  his  teaching  labors — valuable  as 
they  were — in  the  theological  department,  and  enter  upon 
an  arduous  canvass.  He  admired  the  business  sagacity 
which  Mr.  Colby  had  displayed  when  associated  with  him 
in  the  previous  campaign  for  funds.  He  therefore  recom- 
mended him  strongly. 

Had  the  Board  followed  the  more  minute  directions 
of  the  Pioneer,  as  well  as  his  general  suggestion  with 
regard  to  the  construction  of  a  building,  it  would  have 
been  better  in  the  end.  As  it  was,  they  did  what  College 
Boards  are  prone  to  do — they  decided  to  build,  made  plans 
in  a  general  way  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  same,  but 
failed  to  enter  into  a  resolute,  carefully  planned,  strong- 
willed  effort  to  obtain  the  amount  necessary  to  erect  the 
large  and  expensive  structure  which  they  decided  at  once 
to  begin.  Mr.  Peck,  much  to  his  regret,  was  unable  to 
be  present  at  the  meeting.  His  plan,  in  body  and  bulk, 
with  sails  and  masts,  was  launched  with  great  eclat,  but 
the  anchor  and  rudder,  upon  whose  importance  he  had 
also  strenuously  insisted,  were  left  out  of  the  account. 


88  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

It  was  not  carelessness  or  rashness,  but  short-sighted- 
ness, on  the  part  of  the  Board,  that  led  them  to  arise 
with  hopeful  courage  and  begin  to  build,  without  arrang- 
ing to  defray  the  cost  of  building.  These  men  were 
devoted  to  their  College  and  its  progress,  yet  they  lacked 
ability  to  forecast  the  future.  The  building  went  forward 
slowly;  the  debt  went  forward  rapidly.  So  at  the  end 
of  two  years  the  president  of  the  Board  addresses  the 
trustees  with  reference  to  "the  resuscitation  of  our  pros- 
trate institution,"  and  goes  on  to  say  that  "the  want  of 
funds,  of  buildings,  of  suitable  apparatus,  but,  above  all, 
proper  organization,  is  alike  sensibly  felt  by  us  all. 
How  to  supply  these  deficiencies  and  to  remedy  these 
evils  is  an  inquiry  which  must  engage  the  anxious 
thoughts  of  a  Board  which  lias  been  for  so  many  years 
identified  with  the  institution,  and  which  has  manfully 
struggled  for  its  advancement." 

The  materials  used  in  construction  were  the  best  avail- 
able and  the  workmanship  was  conscientious  throughout. 
The  process  of  building  was  slow,  and  the  framework  was 
done  long  before  the  interior  was  completed,  rooms  being 
finished  as  they  were  needed.  This  edifice,  known  always 
as  "The  Dormitory,"  is  still,  after  so  great  a  lapse  of  time, 
the  largest,  most  commodious  and  most  convenient  build- 
ing on  the  campus. 

Three  months  after  the  decision  to  begin  a  building  the 
trustees  resolved  to  enter  on  a  work  of  internal  construc- 
tion, more  important  in  its  way  than  the  gathering  togeth- 
er of  stones  and  bricks.  They  arranged  to  establish  a  reg» 
ular  college  class.  Candidates  for  admission  were  to  be  at 
least  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  were  to  present  testimon- 
ials of  good  character.  It  was  necessary  that  they  should 
have  an  elementary  knowledge  of  the  English  and  Greek 
grammars,  of  geography  and  of  arithmetic.  But  these  sub- 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  89 

jects  were  after  all  of  somewhat  secondary  importance. 
The  chief  emphasis  was  laid  upon  a  sound  knowledge  of 
the  Latin  language.  It  was  required  of  the  candidate  that 
he  should  understand  the  Commentaries  of  Caesar,  the 
Aeneid  of  Virgil  and  the  Orations  of  Cicero,  and  be  able 
to  translate  at  sight  and  parse  correctly  any  portion  which 
might  be  assigned  by  the  examiner.  Having  passed  all 
tests  successfully  the  candidate  might  proceed  with  the 
work  of  the  freshman  year,  which  had  been  carefully 
outlined.  Students  wishing  to 'pursue  a  partial  course 
were  also  allowed  to  enter  the  freshman  class  and  they 
without  any  preliminary  examination.1 

The  earliest  attempt  to  organize  a  college  department, 
and  to  differentiate  its  work  from  that  of  the  more  ele- 
mentary classes,  made  other  changes  necessary.  Not 
the  least  among  these  was  the  clearer  definition  and 
integration  of  the  preparatory  school.  This  was  now 
erected  into  an  academic  department,  to  be  under  the 
special  care  and  charge  of  a  principal,  who  should  serve 
as  scholastic  and  administrative  head.  In  the  selection 
of  a  man  to  occupy  this  responsible  post  the  trustees 
were  led  by  a  wise  Providence.  They  had  learned  to 
love  and  admire  the  man  who  was  at  that  time  their 
acting  president,  and  who  had  been  a  leader  in  their 
councils  for  upward  of  two  years.  Their  choice  for 
an  incumbent  of  the  new  office  fell  therefore  upon  Mr. 
Warren  Leverett,  the  twin-brother  of  Prof.  Washington 
Leverett.  Principal  Leverett  had  graduated  at  Brown 
University  in  1832,  and  had  studied  theology  at  New- 
ton, but  was  prevented  through  ill  health  from  com- 
pleting his  studies  there.  He  spent  some  time  in  the 

'For  an  outline  of  the  work  pursued  in  the  freshman  and  sophomore  classes,  in 
1840,  see  Appendix  II. 


90  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Southland,  battling  with  a  severe  lung  difficulty.  When 
the  vigor  of  life  came  again  he  turned  northward  and 
westward.  After  teaching  in  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  for 
a  time,  he  went  to  Franklin,  where  he  was  largely 
instrumental  in  the  permanent  establishment  of  the  insti- 
tution which  now  for  a  long  time  has  been  known  and 
recognized  as  the  Baptist  College  of  that  state.  On 
the  day  of  his  marriage,  in  October,  1837,  he  started 
with  his  bride  for  Illinois,  the  home  of  all  his  future 
labors.  He  conducted  a  private  school  in  Greenville 
until  his  removal  to  Alton.  It  soon  became  clear  that 
the  choice  of  Professor  Leverett  for  the  headship  of 
the  academic  department  was  a  wise  piece  of  policy,  for 
his  conduct  of  its  activities  was  uniformly  judicious 
and  productive  of  excellent  results. 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  opening  at  Rock  Spring  in 
1827  had  brought  five  score  of  eager  students  to  the  new 
school.  The  number  had  soon  dwindled,  however,  and 
not  again  until  1840  did  the  enrollment  pass  beyond 
the  century  mark.  In  that  year  the  attendance  in  the  col- 
lege and  classical  preparatory  school  reached  forty-eight, 
and  in  all  departments  one  hundred  and  one.  The  year 
1841  was  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  in  the  history  of 
Shurtleff.  In  March  the  Alton  Theological  Seminary 
became  part  and  parcel  of  Shurtleff  College,  with  the 
title  of  "The  Theological  Department  of  Shurtleff  Col- 
lege," by  the  amendment  of  the  College  charter.  At 
the  same  time  there  was  organized  a  Medical  Depart- 
ment, and  Gideon  B.  Perry,  M.  D.,  was  appointed  presi- 
dent. He  was  to  be  assisted  in  the  duties  of  admin- 
istration by  four  censors,  who  with  him  constituted 
partly  a  teaching  and  chiefly  an  examining  board.  The 
censors  who  were  elected  as  Dr.  Perry's  associates  were 
B.  F.  Edwards,  B.  K.  Hart,  A.  E.  Casey,  and  E.  C. 


PROFESSOR    WARREN     LEVERETT. 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  91 

Park,  all  of  whom  were  physicians  in  regular  standing, 
engaged  in  active  practice. 

The  medical  school — by  a  special  arrangement  with 
the  officers — was  to  be  self-sustaining,  and  the  fees  of 
the  students  were  to  remunerate  the  president  and  cen- 
sors and  defray  all  general  expenses.  Nearly  all  of 
its  work  was  to  be  conducted  by  correspondence.  The 
medical  students  were  to  pursue  their  studies  in  absentia, 
undergoing  examinations  from  time  to  time,  and  receiv- 
ing their  diplomas  upon  the  completion  of  the  brief 
course  of  study.  Dr.  Perry  prided  himself  upon  the 
fact  that  he  was  the  originator  of  this  non-resident 
method  of  work.  It  has  become  very  popular  in  more 
recent  years  in  connection  with  the  ''paper  universities" 
and  "diploma  mills,"  against  which  a  crusade  has  within 
the  past  two  years  been  organized  in  this  state  of  Illinois. 

There  were  thus  in  full  swing  five  schools,  the  English 
or  Elementary,  the  Preparatory,  the  Collegiate,  the  Theo- 
logical, and  the  Medical.  Two  rooms  in  the  new  dor- 
mitory were  finished  and  furnished  by  the  medical  school, 
and  were  ready  for  occupancy  in  November.  The  com- 
pletion of  the  exterior  of  this  new  dormitory  was  another 
important  happening  of  the  year.  Few  buildings  in  all 
the  West  were  so  substantial,  so  commodious,  or  so 
imposing.  The  work  was  finished  in  the  early  summer, 
and  the  Board  passed  a  strong  resolution  to  the  effect 
"that  the  new  College  Edifice  for  quality  of  materials, 
neat  and  substantial  workmanship,  and  architectural 
beauty,  is  not  excelled  by  any  edifice  within  the  knowl- 
edge of  this  Board,  and  reflects  great  credit  on  the 
talents,  industry,  skill  and  fidelity  of  the  contractors." 
The  test  of  time  has  emphasized  the  value  of  this  verdict. 
Though  the  style  of  architecture  seems  plain  and  severe 
to  the  eye  of  the  critic  in  this  later  day,  the  building 


92  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

stands  as  staunch  and  substantial  as  when  it  was  first 
erected,  with  walls  like  iron.  Constructed  of  brick,  with 
heavy  foundations  of  stone,  it  occupies  a  prominent  place 
in  the  centre  of  the  campus.  It  is  four  stories  in  height 
and  contains  sixty-four  rooms,  although  these  were  not 
partitioned  off  at  the  time  of  the  passage  by  the  Board 
of  its  commendatory  resolution. 

An  even  more  significant  event  than  the  amalgama- 
tion of  the  College  and  theological  seminary,  or  the 
establishment  of  the  medical  department,  or  the  erec- 
tion of  the  new  building,  was  the  calling  and  coming 
of  a  new  president,  the  first  full  and  regular  incumbent 
of  the  office.  Election  after  election  had  taken  place  dur- 
ing the  five  preceding  years.  Rev.  Baron  Stow,  Dr. 
Jonathan  Going,  Rev.  R.  B.  C.  Howell,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
Howard  Malcolm,  and  Rev.  Isaac  Taylor  Hinton  were 
successively  called,  and  successively  declined  the  call. 
Mr.  Hinton  was  the  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in 
Chicago  and  a  warm  friend  of  Mr.  Peck.  His  call  was 
conditioned  by  a  request  that  he  act  as  agent  in  the 
field  before  assuming  the  specific  duties  of  his  office, 
and  that  he  raise  by  such  means  an  endowment  of  ten 
thousand  dollars  for  the  chair  he  was  asked  to  fill.  It  is 
not  surprising  that  the  invitation,  thus  unhappily  ham- 
pered, was  promptly  declined.  In  May,  1841,  a  com- 
mittee previously  appointed  by  the  Board,  of  which 
Cyrus  Edwards  was  chairman,  recommended  the  name 
of  Rev.  Adiel  Sherwood,  A.  M.,  of  Georgia,  a  well-known 
leader  in  the  educational  affairs  of  the  South,  for  the 
presidency.  In  November  Dr.  Sherwood's  acceptance 
of  the  position  was  formally  announced,  and  also  the 
encouraging  news  that  he  was  ready  to  enter  at  once 
upon  his  duties  as  president  of  Shurtleff  College  and  as 
professor  of  Theology  and  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy. 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  93 

Owing  to  the  careful  supervision  exercised  by  Professor 
Leverett,  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  duties  of  his  pro- 
fessorship, the  internal  affairs  of  the  school  were  in  a 
most  prosperous  condition.  The  library  had  grown 
steadily  and  numbered  at  this  time  about  eight  hundred 
volumes,  most  of  which  wrere  theological  in  their  character. 

As  might  be  supposed  from  the  spirit  of  progress  that 
was  so  rapidly  developing  within  the  school,  the  cele- 
bration of  the  annual  commencement  was  somewhat  more 
elaborate  than  usual.  Rev.  Henry  W.  Dodge,  the  pastor 
of  the  Springfield  Baptist  Church,  delivered  an  oration 
on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  the  twenty-seventh  of  July,  and 
on  Wednesday  evening  Rev.  G.  B.  Perry,  M.D.,  the  newly- 
elected  President  of  the  Medical  Department,  gave  a 
"very  able,  lucid,  impressive  and  eloquent  address"  on 
the  "Importance  of  an  Elevated  Education  to  the  Views 
of  Pure  Morality."  The  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  was  conferred  for  the  first  time  at  this  auspicious 
commencement,  the  recipients  of  the  favor  being  the 
worthy  founder  of  the  school,  Rev.  J.  M.  Peck,  together 
with  Rev.  I.  T.  Hinton  of  Chicago,  Rev.  G.  B.  Perry, 
M.  D.,  of  Alton,  and  Rev.  Levi  Tucker,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  a  friend  of  Dr.  Perry.  On  commencement  day, 
however,  no  announcement  was  made  concerning  these 
degrees,  and  thereby  hangs  a  tale.  Its  hero  was  no 
less  a  personage  than  the  head  of  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment. 

Both  in  the  matter  of  accommodations  for  his  school 
and  in  that  of  degrees  for  himself  Dr.  Perry  became 
for  the  trustees  "a  thorn  in  the  flesh."  He  was  doubly 
a  professional  man,  being  both  a  clergyman  and  a 
physician,  yet  he  caused  the  college  a  deal  of  trouble  in 
his  time.  His  conduct  suffers  by  contrast  with  the 
devotion  of  the  patient  professors.  When  his  medical 


94  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

school  was  established,  with  its  Board  of  Censors,  its 
elaborate  curriculum,  and  its  plan  of  non-resident  study, 
two  rooms  in  the  dormitory  were  assigned  to  him  at  his 
own  request  for  use  as  an  office.  These  rooms  were 
bare  even  of  lath  and  plaster,  so  it  was  stipulated  that 
the  doctor  should  bear  the  expense  of  finishing  and 
furnishing  them,  while  in  return  he  should  enjoy  the 
use  of  them  without  any  charge  for  rental,  as  long  as 
his  school  should  continue  to  exist.  It  was  agreed  further 
that  if  the  school  should  erect  a  building  for  its  own  use 
tand  at  its  own  expense  the  college  should  refund  to  Dr. 
Perry  the  amount  expended  on  the  two  rooms  in  question. 
The  rooms  were  completed  in  due  season,  and  were 
occupied  by  Dr.  Perry  for  some  time.  But,  when  several 
years  had  come  and  gone,  long  after  *the  department 
had  ceased  to  live  or  breathe,  a  bill  for  two  hundred  and 
seventy-two  dollars,  the  cost  of  finishing  the  two  rooms, 
was  presented  by  Dr.  Perry  to  the  Board,  and  immediate 
payment  requested.  Discussion  of  the  matter  was  not 
limited  to  weeks  or  months,  but  recurred  at  intervals  for 
more  than  ten  years,  until  finally  the  amount,  with  accrued 
interest,  was  paid  in  full. 

Another  trial  of  Dr.  Perry's  life  became  a  burden  to 
the  Board.  Criticism  and  counter-criticism  ran  riot.  It 
seems  that  on  the  seventh  of  July,  1841,  at  Dr.  Perry's  sug- 
gestion, the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred 
upon  him  and  upon  his  friend,  Mr.  Tucker  of  Cleveland, 
as  already  indicated.  The  proceedings  of  the  meeting 
at  which  this  action  was  taken  were  recorded,  as  usual, 
on  a  loose  sheet  of  paper.  The  secretary  was  accustomed 
to  enter  no  minutes  upon  his  books  until  after  they  had 
been  sanctioned  at  a  subsequent  session  of  the  Board. 
At  the  next  meeting,  which  was  held  on  the  twenty-eighth 
of  July,  the  trustees  amended  the  minutes  of  the  seventh 


SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE:    EARLY  YEARS.  95 

by  omitting  the  resolution  with  regard  to  Dr.  Perry  and 
the  other  three  gentlemen  whom  they  had  intended  to 
honor  with  degrees.  As  no  public  announcements  had 
been  made  it  was  thought  that  no  harm  could  result 
from  such  a  procedure.  However,  when  the  president 
of  the  Medical  School  ascertained  the  facts  in  the  case, 
he  entered  at  once  upon  a  campaign  of  reconstruction. 
He  claimed  that  he  had  written  to  his  friend,  Mr.  Tucker, 
informing  him  that  the  degrees  had  been  conferred  in  due 
order,  and  contended  that  the  new  action  of  the  Board 
had  the  effect  of  falsifying  his  word.  He  therefore  per- 
suaded certain  of  the  trustees  to  assemble  in  special  ses- 
sion in  order  to  indorse  their  earlier  resolution.  They 
came  together  and  agreed  that  a  note  should  be  inserted 
in  the  margin  of  the  record  book  asserting  all  the  facts 
in  the  case.  The  secretary,  who  was  an  ardent  cham- 
pion of  Dr.  Perry,  inserted  the  notice  of  the  motion 
granting  the  degrees,  but  failed  to  indicate  in  any  way 
that  the  motion  was  rescinded  at  the  following  session. 
For  a  year  contentions  multiplied  and  the  Board  was 
divided  into  two  camps.  Then  by  a  vote  of  four  to 
three,  at  a  meeting  when  a  bare  quorum  was  in  attend- 
ance, the  president  of  the  College  was  directed  to  issue 
diplomas  to  Dr.  Perry  and  the  other  three  gentlemen. 
This  Dr.  Sherwood  refused  to  do  on  the  ground  that  he 
was  not  connected  with  the  College  when  the  degrees 
were  conferred ;  that  the  vote  had  been  rescinded ;  that 
the  College,  having  never  graduated  a  regular  class,  was 
too  young  to  confer  such  honors;  and  that  he  had  no 
knowledge  of  the  qualifications  of  the  candidates.  At 
later  meetings  of  the  Board  this  position  of  Dr.  Sher- 
wood was  approved,  especially  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
Dr.  Perry  had  sought  another  sort  of  redress  by  carrying 
his  wrongs  into  the  columns  of  the  religious  press,  caus- 


96  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ing  embarrassment  to  the  College  as  well  as  its  governing 
body.  Dr.  Peck  succeeded  in  complicating  matters  con- 
siderably by  replying  to  these  communications.  In  his 
blunt  fashion  he  accused  Dr.  Perry  of  being  a  troublesome 
man  and  a  schemer.  He  also  paid  his  compliments  to 
the  secretary  of  the  Board,  who  had  in  the  meantime 
taken  matters  in  his  own  hands  by  announcing  in  his 
official  capacity,  through  the  public  prints,  that  the 
degrees  had  been  conferred  in  due  and  regular  order. 
By  way  of  reply  the  secretary  sought  for  months,  in 
many  resolutions  which  he  submitted,  to  compel  the 
Board  to  inflict  censure  upon  the  Pioneer.  Though  not 
one  of  these  resolutions  ever  carried,  the  secretary  entered 
them  each  and  all  upon  his  minutes,  where  they  stand 
today.  The  Board  finally  approved  the  course  of  Presi- 
dent.  Sherwood  "in  resisting  the  repeated  importunities 
of  Mr.  Perry  to  issue  diplomas."  This  action  the  secre- 
tary was  forced  to  record,  though  he  did  so  only  under 
protest,  following  it  with  a  foot-note  of  his  own,  in 
which  he  sought  to  throw  doubts  upon  the  validity  of 
this  final  expression  of  the  sentiments  of  the  trustees. 

Viewed  from  a  distance  of  time  this  discussion  may 
seem  to  have  been  very  trifling.  It  was  by  no  means  so. 
It  lasted  for  more  than  five  years.  It  engaged  well-nigh 
the  entire  attention  of  the  trustees  at  session  after  ses- 
sion. A  vast  amount  of  energy  and  time  were  con- 
sumed. Important  plans  for  the  development  of  the 
school  were  side-tracked  in  order  that  this  issue  might 
be  settled.  An  intense  bitterness  of  feeling  was  engen- 
dered. Whether  Gideon  B.  Perry  was  a  Doctor  of 
Divinity  or  not,  at  the  end  of  all  the  strife,  is  an  open 
question.  But  there  is  no  question  that  his  overweening 
desire  for  personal  emolument  became  a  source  of  serious 
injury  to  the  institution  which  he  so  ardently  desired 
should  confer  her  honors  upon  him. 


CHAPTER  VI- 

THE   PRESIDENCY  OF  ADIEL  SHERWOOD,  1841-1845. 

The  new  President — The  College  without  and  within — A  literary  society — Degrees 
and  honors — Hard  times — Death  of  Professor  Newman — Failing  numbers — 
Dr.  Sherwood  resigns. 

The  man  whom  the  Board  of  Trustees  had  called  to 
the  presidency  was  admirably  qualified  for  the  place.  Dr. 
Sherwood  was  remarkable  for  the  depth  and  genuine- 
ness of  his  consecration,  and  as  well  for  the  breadth  of 
the  field  in  which  his  life's  labors  were  cast.  He  was 
born  at  Fort  Edward  in  the  state  of  New  York.  His 
father  was  an  officer  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution  and 
a  personal  friend  of  Washington.  He  took  a  prolonged 
course  of  study  at  Middlebury  College,  Union  College, 
and  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  and  then  removed 
to  Georgia,  where  he  was  ordained.  After  a  period  of 
remarkable  success  as  a  preacher  and  teacher,  an  evan- 
gelist and  leader,  among  the  Baptists  of  Georgia,  he 
became  president  of  Marshall  College  in  that  state.  He 
was  also  associated  at  different  times  with  Mercer  Uni- 
versity and  the  Columbian  University.  He  had  just 
passed  his  fiftieth  birthday  when  he  entered  upon  his 
duties  at  Shurtleff.  His  strong  personality  made  a 
marked  impression  at  the  outset.  Reserved  in  manner, 
tall  and  dignified  in  presence,  clear  and  sententious  in 
speech,  he  was  withal  a  sound  scholar  and  a  courteous 
gentleman. 

97 


98  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

President  Sherwood  came  to.  Upper  Alton  in  November 
and  entered  upon  his  work  immediately.  During  the 
four  years  of  his  official  connection  with  the  college  the 
work  went  forward  quietly.  The  trustees  were  rather 
inactive.  They  were  not  in  full  sympathy  with  each 
other,  and  their  lack  of  harmony  not  only  grieved  the 
president  but  hindered  him  in  the  execution  of  his  plans. 
The  new  building  was  finished  bit  by  bit,  and  room  by 
room  was  made  ready  for  occupancy,  as  necessity 
required  or  financial  conditions  allowed.  One  by  one 
also  the  lots  of  land  owned  by  the  College  were  sold  and 
the  proceeds  applied  to  pay  salaries  or  general  expenses. 
The  College  boarding-house  and  farm  during  these  four 
years  were  operated  and  controlled  by  the  Professors 
Leverett,  to  whom  they  were  leased  for  two  hundred  dol- 
lars a  year.  This  arrangement  relieved  the  trustees  of 
many  responsibilities  of  detail. 

In  the  month  following  Mr.  Sherwood's  arrival  a 
Sunday-school  was  organized  in  connection  with  the 
institution,  and  both  boarders  and  day  pupils  were 
required  to  attend  this  exercise  at  nine  o'clock  each 
Sunday  morning  in  Academic  Hall.  Attendance  on 
church  service,  Sunday-school  and  daily  prayers  was 
obligatory,  and  absences  from  regular  class  exer- 
cises were  punished  by  the  levy  of  a  fine  of  five 
cents — in  the  year  following  increased  to  ten  cents — for 
each  offense.  Immediately  after  the  prayer  service  on 
school  days,  three  students  gave  declamations  and  three 
read  compositions.  This  duty  must  have  occupied  a  full 
half  hour,  at  the  least  hazard,  but  the  professors  resigned 
themselves  to  listen  to  these  exhibitions  in  order  that  the 
students  might  be  helped  and  disciplined  by  the  task. 
The  professors'  turn  came  time  by  time,  however,  for  on 
Wednesdays,  at  a  quarter  past  one,  they  delivered  ex- 


DR.   SHERWOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  99 

pository  lectures,  beginning  with  Genesis;  and  these  lec- 
tures the  students  were  obliged  to  attend. 

The  chapel  declamations  were  apparently  a  source  of 
suggestion  and  inspiration,  for  before  long  the  Lyceum, 
or  debating  society,  which  had  been  in  existence  for 
some  time,  rose  to  a  larger  dignity  and  through  reorgan- 
ization became  the  Philomethian  Society;  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1842,  by  petition  to  the  trustees,  this  society  obtained 
the  "use  of  the  room  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
second  story  of  the  new  college  building  for  its  meet- 
ings. Only  a  few  of  the  other  rooms  were  finished,  as 
the  cost  of  the  carpenter  work  was  rather  more  than  the 
college  could  afford.  In  face  of  the  delay  in  providing 
comfortable  accommodations  the  number  of  students  fell 
away,  and  only  eighty-six  were  enrolled  during  the 
entire  year.  Exactly  one-half  of  these  were  members  of 
the  collegiate  and  classical  preparatory  departments,  while 
half  were  taking  the  English  studies.  Only  thirteen  were 
from  Alton,  a  lamentably  small  proportion.  This  lack  of 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  people  who  should  have  been 
the  most  ardent  patrons  of  the  school  it  is  difficult  to 
understand.  Though  the  children  from  Alton  could 
receive  their  education  for  little  beside  the  tuition  fees, 
or  for  one-fourth  of  the  expense  which  they  would 
incur  at  a  college  distant  from  their  homes,  their  parents 
and  friends  showed  little  interest  in  the  progress  of  the 
institution. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  Mr.  Hiram  A.  Gardiner,  who 
had  studied  for  five  years  at  the  Hamilton  Literary  and 
Theological  Institution,  and  for  two  years  at  Shurtleff, 
was  given  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  after  a  thor- 
ough final  examination.  Mr.  Gardiner  became  thus  the 
first  regular  graduate  of  the  institution.  Rev.  John 
McGilton  and  Chapin  A.  Harris  of  Baltimore,  and  Rev. 


100  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Wm.  B.  Maxon  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  received  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
a  resolution  presented  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  by  Presi- 
dent Sherwood  to  the  effect  that  "in  order  to  bring  into 
notice  men  of  real  worth  and  good  scholarship  who  have 
not  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  a  collegiate  course,  but 
who  have  made  attainments  in  the  sciences  equal  to 
those  of  graduates,  such  persons  on  examination  and  on 
the  credit  of  vouchers  satisfactory  to  the  examining  com- 
mittee and  approved  by  the  trustees  may  be  admitted 
to  the  first  and  second  degrees  in  the  Arts  course,  and 
regarded  as  regular  graduates;  provided,  they  shall  pay 
the  fees  of  graduation  and  an  amount  equal  to  the  regular 
college  bills  for  tuition."  In  addition  to  the  aforemen- 
tioned, the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  was  conferred 
upon  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Baker  of  Kentucky  and  Rev.  Noah 
Flood  of  Missouri,  both  of  whom  were  former  students 
of  the  College,  and  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  upon 
Rev.  Isaac  D.  Newell  and  Thomas  Powell.  Thus  the 
commencement  of  1842  must  ever  be  famous  in  the 
history  of  Shurtleff  College  as  an  occasion  of  abundant 
degree  giving. 

The  times  were  stringent.  The  endowment  of  the 
College  amounted  to  absolutely  nothing.  The  value  of 
the  buildings  and  grounds  in  Upper  Alton  was  estimated 
at  thirty  thousand  dollars,  the  library  at  twelve  hundred 
dollars  and  the  scientific  apparatus  at  seven  hundred  dol- 
lars. The  only  income  was  the  two  hundred  dollars  per 
year  which  was  received  for  the  rent  of  the  boarding  house 
and  farm.  In  this  condition  of  things  the  professors  were 
compelled  to  suffer  a  "readjustment"  of  salaries.  President 
Sherwood  agreed  to  work  half  time  for  one-half  his  pre- 
vious salary,  and  Professor  Newman's  meagre  stipend  was 
reduced.  Major  George  W.  Long,  a  graduate  of  West 


DR.   SHERWOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  IOI 

Point  Military  Academy,  and  subsequently  assistant 
professor  of  physics  and  mathematics  in  that  institution 
and  for  several  years  chief  engineer  of  Louisiana,  had 
been  elected  professor  of  civil  engineering  and  French, 
but  in  the  financial  stress  which  came  upon  the  College 
the  trustees  found  it  necessary  to  cancel  his  appointment. 
During  the  years  that  followed  troubles  increased  and 
the  outlook  became  more  gloomy.  The  shadows  were 
ignored  or  were  not  known  by  the  public  at  large, 
however,  so  the  commencement  of  '45  was  one  of  un- 
usual brightness  and  joy.  The  programme  was  an 
elaborate  one.  Among  the  prize  winners  appears  the 
name  of  Mr.  Justus  Bulkley,  who  captured  the  silver 
medal  for  excellence  in  mathematical  studies.  The  presi- 
dent roused  the  hearts  of  the  people  by  his  stirring  appeal 
to  them  on  Commencement  Day  to  support  the  College 
by  all  means  in  their  power.  He  urged  this  duty  with 
special  emphasis  upon  the  citizens  of  the  Altons.  The 
Illinois  Literary  and  Historical  Society  was  organized 
during  the  anniversary  exercises,  with  Hon.  Cyrus 
Edwards  as  president.  The  entire  proceedings  closed 
with  a  levee  at  the  house  of  the  president  of  the  College. 
A  gentleman  who  wrote  for  the  Alton  Telegraph  an 
account  of  the  commencement  says  that  this  event — now 
established  by  custom  of  more  than  half  a  century — was 
"deserving  of  something  more  than  a  passing  notice, 
being  probably  the  first  'president's  levee'  that  has  ever 
been  given  in  Illinois.  It  was  attended  by  nearly  two 
hundred  ladies  and  gentlemen,  who,  coming  from  nearly 
every  state  in  the  Union,  made  up  that  agreeable  variety 
of  conversational  talent  that  is  seldom  met  with  in  the 
older  states.  The  company  separated  at  an  early  hour, 
highly  gratified  with  the  politeness  and  urbanity  of  the 
president  and  his  lady,  and  for  the  opportunity  that  had 


102  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

been  enjoyed  for  social  intercourse."  Thus  happily 
closed  the  commencement  of  1845. 

But  the  wolf  was  at  the  door,  and  counsels  for  self- 
preservation  were  long  and  serious.  The  subject  of  dis- 
pensing with  the  services  of  one  of  the  professors  was 
under  serious  consideration,  when  President  Sherwood 
submitted  to  the  Board  a  magnanimous  proposition,  in 
which  he  offered  to  continue  his  services  as  president 
and  professor  for  one  year  without  any  remuneration. 
It  is  needless  to  say  that  this  generous  gift  of  gratuitous 
labor  was  joyfully  accepted.  Thus  it  became  possible  for 
all  three  of  the  professors,  Washington  and  Warren 
Leverett  and  Zenas  B.  Newman,  to  continue  their  valu- 
able teaching  services.  For  five  years  this  trio  of  de- 
voted men  had  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  amid  severe 
and  toilsome  duties.  Before  the  next  school  year  had 
reached  its  close  Zenas  B.  Newman  was  called  to  the 
higher  service.  During  the  last  term  of  the  year  he  could 
do  no  teaching  on  account  of  the  sure  progress  of  the 
dread  disease  which  slew  him  at  last.  He  died  on  the 
1 9th  of  Juty,  1844,  one  week  before  the  annual  com- 
mencement. He  taught  at  Shurtleff  as  tutor  and  pro- 
fessor for  nine  years,  and  they  were  stern  and  arduous 
and  self-denying  years.  Rev.  Rufus  W.  Griswold,  of 
Philadelphia,  was  elected  to  fill  his  place  as  professor  of 
rhetoric,  oratory,  and  belles  lettres,  but  no  sufficient 
financial  guarantee  could  be  given,  so  Mr.  Griswold 
never  entered  upon  the  active  duties  of  the  office.  The 
Messrs.  Leverett  taught  during  the  year  that  followed 
with  no  remuneration  save  the  tuition  fees  of  the  students, 
and  President  Sherwood  with  less  than  this  for  tangible 
compensation. 

Those  were  dark  days !  The  number  of  students  had 
decreased  from  one  hundred  and  one  in  the  school  year 


PRESIDENT    ADIEL    SHERWOOD. 


DR.   SHERWOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  103 

ending  in  July,  1840,  and  from  ninety-six  in  July,  1841, 
to  eighty-six  in  1842,  to  sixty  in  1843,  to  fifty  in  1844, 
and  to  thirty-eight  in  1845.  The  low-water  mark  was 
reached  in  the  last  of  these  years.  In  the  spring  President 
Sherwood  visited  New  England  on  a  canvassing  tour 
and  returned  with  two  hundred  volumes  for  the  library 
and  three  hundred  and  thirty-eight  dollars  in  cash,  of 
which  nearly  one  hundred  dollars  was  returned  to  him  for 
travelling  expenses.  The  result  of  the  trip  was  discour- 
aging. It  was  evident  that  the  days  of  effective  appeals 
to  the  East  were  gone  forever.  At  the  close  of  the 
year  President  Sherwood  resigned.  Without  the  sup- 
port of  his  unselfish  efforts  and  the  stimulus  of  his 
constant  devotion  the  school  would  undoubtedly  have 
been  obliged  to  close  its  doors  in  the  years  of  terrible 
depression  through  which  it  had  been  passing.  It  is 
to  be  regretted  that  he  did  not  continue  his  connection 
with  the  institution  for  a  longer  period,  but  the  dis- 
mal outlook  seemed  to  overmaster  even  his  strong 
spirit.  He  served  several  years  as  a  trustee,  attending 
faithfully  the  meetings  of  the  Board.  He  also  became 
deeply  interested  in  William  Jewell  College  and  gave 
time  and  strength  to  the  advocacy  of  its  interests.  The 
most  of  his  life,  however,  after  leaving  Shurtleff,  was 
spent  in  the  South.  There  he  received  universal  and 
well-merited  recognition  as  a  leader  gifted  with  high  qual- 
ities of  wisdom  and  manhood. 


CHAPTER  VII.     , 

TIMES  OF  PERIL  AND  UNCERTAINTY,   1845-1850. 

A  small  faculty — Removal  of  Dr.  Edwards — Isaac  D.  Newell  as  College  Agent — 
The  Class  of  1847 — Prosperous  times  —  College  societies  —  Rumors  many  and 
grave — A  conference  of  enquiry — The  skies  clear. 

When  the  autumn  of  1845  brought  the  students  again 
together  after  their  vacation  there  were  many  new  faces, 
and  the  entire  number  was  greater  by  a  score  than  in 
the  previous  year.  But  the  school  was  once  more  with- 
out a  president.  The  teaching  staff,  for  both  College 
and  preparatory  school,  consisted  of  Washington  and 
Warren  Leverett,  the  former  acting  also  as  the  chief 
executive  officer  of  the  institution.  Mr.  Justus  Bnlkley, 
then  a  member  of  the  junior  class  in  College,  had  been 
appointed  a  "temporary  tutor."  The  medical  depart- 
ment had  disappeared  some  time  before  this,  after  a  pre- 
carious existence  of  twenty-four  months. 

In  April  of  the  academic  year  1845-46  Dr.  Benjamin 
F.  Edwards  removed  his  residence  from  Illinois  and 
resigned  the  presidency  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  an 
office  which  he  had  held  uninterruptedly  for  a  period 
of  nine  years.  He  had  been  one  of  the  ardent  supporters 
of  the  school  from  its  very  inception  and  was  closely 
identified  with  its  beginnings  at  Rock  Spring.  His 
brother,  Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards,  was  elected  to  fill  his 
place  as  president  of  the  Board. 

104 


TIMES  OF  PERIL.  105 

It  was  becoming  more  and  more  apparent  that  a 
strenuous  effort  for  an  adequate  productive  endowment 
was  essential  to  the  future  vitality  and  growth  of  the 
school.  The  lands  owned  by  the  College  had  been  sold 
lot  by  lot  or  turned  over  to  the  professors  in  lieu  of 
cash  payment  of  salaries  until  the  situation  became 
serious  and  even  alarming.  Such  a  policy  could  not 
longer  be  followed  with  safety,  so  the  Board  appointed 
Rev.  Isaac  D.  Newell  as  the  permanent  financial  agent 
to  secure  contributions  throughout  the  state  and  in  other 
states  if  possible.  He  entered  upon  his  duties  on  the  first 
of  November,  1846.  Three  months  later,  relying  doubt- 
less on  the  success  which  they  hoped  would  crown  his 
labors,  the  trustees  called  Mr.  Erastus  Adkins  to  the 
chair  of  oratory,  rhetoric  and  belles  lettres.  For  some 
months  prior  to  his  election  Mr.  Adkins  had  held  the 
principalship  of  a  seminary  for  young  ladies  which  had 
been  recently  founded  at  Peoria  under  the  direction  of 
the  Baptist  General  Association  of  Illinois,  and  which 
owed  its  establishment  very  largely  to  the  influence  and 
advocacy  of  the  Rev.  H.  G.  Weston,  the  successor  of  Mr. 
Newell  in  the  pastorate  of  the  Peoria  Baptist  Church,  but 
afterward  and  at  the  present  time  the  president  of  the 
Crozer  Theological  Seminary  at  Upland,  Pa.  The  hopes 
of  the  Shurtleff  Board  were  neither  vain  nor  visionary, 
for  in  less  than  one  year  after  his  appointment  Mr. 
Newell  had  collected,  in  cash  and  pledged  subscriptions, 
upward  of  six  thousand  dollars.  Many  of  the  subscrip- 
tions became  difficult  of  collection  afterward,  but  during 
Mr.  Ne well's  term  of  service  he  turned  into  the  college 
treasury  an  average  of  from  one  to  two  thousand  dollars 
each  year.  This  increase  of  revenue  had  a  marked  and 
most  cheering  effect  upon  all  college  interests. 

At  the  annual  commencement  in  1847  Rev.  J.  M.  Peck 


106  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

was  present  and  delivered  an  address  on  "The  Life  and 
Character  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Shurtleff,"  in  honor  of  the 
worthy  man  who  had  befriended  the  school  in  its  earlier 
days  and  who  had  recently  died.  The  graduates  of  the 
year  were  Justus  Bulkley,  Edward  L.  Baker  and  Wil- 
liam Cunningham,  all  three  of  whom  survived  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  their  graduation.  Dr.  Bulkley's  name  was 
intimately  associated  with  the  history  of  the  College  and 
of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  state  of  Illinois  during 
all  of  this  lengthy  period.  As  president  for  many  years 
of  the  State  Convention,  of  the  Illinois  Baptist  Educa- 
tion Society,  and  of  the  Board  of  State  Missions,  his 
influence  was  widely  recognized  and  respected,  while 
the  beauty  and  sweet  sincerity  of  his  life  won  for  him" 
the  affectionate  devotion  of  his  friends  and  endeared  him 
to  the  people  everywhere  in  this  broad  land.  Mr.  Baker 
became  Consul  at  Buenos  Ayres  and  served  the  govern- 
ment for  many  years  in  that  capacity.  He  purposed 
returning  home  for  a  needed  rest  in  the  spring  of 
1897,  and  hoped  to  be  present  at  the  jubilee  celebration 
in  honor  of  his  classmate,  Dr.  Bulkley.  His  plans  were 
unfortunately  delayed,  however,  and  in  the  course  of 
his  return  journey  in  June  he  was  injured  in  a  railway 
collision  and  died  in  a  few  weeks.  Mr.  Cunningham 
taught  the  preparatory  department  of  Shurtleff  College 
for  some  years.  He  afterward  taught  in  Greenville,  and 
in  other  places  in  southern  Illinois.  His  life  was  a 
laborious  and  useful  one.  For  many  years  he  was  a  lay 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Both  Dr.  Bulkley  and 
Mr.  Baker  died  within  two  years  after  the  golden  anni- 
versary of  their  graduation. 

The  College  was  enjoying  greater  prosperity  than  ever 
before  in  its  history.  The  number  of  students  in  1848-49 
was  one  hundred  and  twenty-one,  thus  exceeding  the 


TIMES  OF  PERIL.  107 

enrollment  in  any  previous  year.  They  were  for  the 
most  part  young  men  of  high  character  and  excellent 
habits.  Work  on  the  interior  of  the  new  building  had 
proceeded  with  cautious  wisdom,  and  at  this  time  two 
stories,  containing  thirty-two  rooms,  had  been  fully  com- 
pleted. The  basement  of  the  Baptist  Church  was  par- 
tially furnished  for  the  use  of  the  preparatory  depart- 
ment, but  was  never  occupied.  For  a  dozen  years  the 
church  had  owed  the  College  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dol- 
lars, and  being  unable  to  return  this  amount,  which  had 
been  borrowed,  an  agreement  was  made  by  which  the  Col- 
lege waived  its  claim  to  the  debt  and  the  church  in  return 
granted  to  the  College  the  use  of  the  basement  of  the 
building  for  whatever  purpose  they  might  designate, 
and  the  further  use  of  the  auditorium  for  the  commence- 
ment exercises,  perpetually. 

At  the  opening  of  the  autumn  term  in  1848  the  rooms 
in  the  second  story  of  the  dormitory  \vere  ready  for 
occupancy  and  on  the  return  of  the  students  they  were 
assigned  in  accordance  with  the  rule  of  seniority,  the 
first  choice  being  given  to  "regular"  members  of  the 
classical  college  course,  and  after  them  in  order  to  the 
English  collegiate,  the  collegiate  preparatory,  the  English 
preparatory,  and  the  "irregulars." 

The  Philomethian  Society,  which  had  been  organized 
the  year  previous,  was  granted  the  privilege  of  a  reading- 
room  in  the  building.  This  society  appears  in  the  records 
a  few  months  later  under  the  name  which  it  still  holds, 
that  of  "Alpha  Zeta."  Among  its  charter  members  were 
Professor  Bulkley  and  Mr.  Cunningham.  Its  literary 
work  was  of  a  high  order  and  its  presence  was  felt  by  the 
faculty  to  be  helpful  and  stimulating.  A  Society  of  Inquiry 
had  also  been  constituted,  and  had  furnished  and  equipped 
a  library  and  reading-room  of  its  own.  It  met  once  in 


108  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

two  weeks  in  formal  session,  and  occupied  itself  on 
alternate  evenings  in  general  discussions  and  in  reading 
and  hearing  reports  prepared  by  its  members  on  the 
moral  and  religious  condition  of  the  world.  Its  aim 
was  distinctly  religious,  as  that  of  the  Alpha  Zeta  Society 
was  primarily  literary  and  social  in  its  character. 

For  four  years  after  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Sherwood 
no  effort  was  made  to  secure  a  president.  Then  the 
experience  of  earlier  years  was  repeated.  Rev.  Howard 
Malcolm,  who  had  just  concluded  a  term  of  service  as 
president  of  Georgetown  College  in  Kentucky,  and  Rev. 
Rufus  Babcock,  D.  D.,  of  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  were 
each  asked  to  occupy  the  vacant  post,  but  they  both 
declined.  After  several  months  of  waiting  the  Board 
called  Norman  Nelson  Wood,  of  Zanesville,  Ohio,  to 
the  presidency  and  to  the  chair  of  Mental  and  Moral 
Philosophy  and  Christian  Theology.  Mr.  Wood  visited 
the  College,  made  a  careful  examination  of  its  conditions 
and  needs,  and  decided  to  accept  the  invitation  which  was 
unanimously  extended.  Dr.  Sherwood,  who  had  re- 
mained in  close  sympathy  with  the  institution  since  his 
retirement  from  the  presidency,  and  had  continued  as  an 
active  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  was  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee  which  was  appointed  to  inform 
Mr.  Wood  of  his  election.  The  new  president  arrived 
in  Upper  Alton  on  the  evening  of  the  last  day  of  the 
year  1^50  and  entered  upon  his  official  duties  a  few  days 
later. 

Just  at  this  time  a  series  of  events  of  critical  moment, 
which  bore  with  great  force  upon  the  work  and  prospects 
of  the  college,  was  brought  to  a  satisfactory  conclusion. 
For  some  two  or  three  years  certain  rumors  derogatory 
to  the  influence  of  the  school  had  been  afloat  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  state.  The  president  of  the  Board 


TIMES  OF  PERIL.  109 

was  accused  of  using  his  official  position  to  undermine 
the  denominational  tendencies  which  had  been  strong 
in  the  earlier  years.  It  was  further  said  that  the  charter 
made  no  provision  for  the  continuance  of  the  school 
under  strictly  Baptist  auspices.  Many  other  grave 
charges  were  uttered.  They  flew  from  lip  to  lip  and  grew 
greater  in  their  flight.  At  last  the  Baptist  General  Asso- 
ciation of  Illinois  gave  attention  to  the  matter,  and  after 
earnest  debate  a  committee  of  seven  was  named  and 
authorized  to  visit  the  college  and  to  confer  with  the 
trustees  and  faculty  "on  the  best  interests  of  the  col- 
lege and  its  connection  with  the  denomination."  The 
Baptist  Convention  of  Southern  Illinois,  at  that  time  a 
distinct  and  separate  body,  had  appointed  a  similar  com- 
mittee. These  chosen  representatives  met  with  the  trus- 
tees on  the  fourth  and  fifth  of  December,  1850.  One  or  ' 
two  members  of  the  faculty  were  also  present.  The 
visiting  delegation  had  formulated  their  inquiries,  and 
presented  them  in  the  form  of  the  following  questions : 

"Is  the  charter  of  Shurtleff  College  in  such  a  form 
as  to  secure  to  the  Baptist  denomination  the  property 
belonging  to  the  corporation?  Do  the  members  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  regard  the  College  as  a  Baptist  insti- 
tution and  feel  themselves  to  be  the  agents  of  the  denom- 
ination and  willing  to  carry  out  its  wishes,  both  literary 
and  religious?  Is  the  programme  of  studies  as  an- 
nounced in  the  annual  catalogue  rigidly  pursued?  What 
is  the  moral  and  religious  influence  exerted  in  the  col- 
lege? Is  it  such  as  to  create  a  healthful  atmosphere 
for  candidates  for  the  ministry?  At  what  price  and  for 
how  long  a  time  are  the  farm  and  boarding  house  rented  ? 
In  letting  jobs  of  work  is  it  the  practice  to  submit 
proposals  to  different  workmen  and  obtain  the  lowest 
bids,  so  as  to  be  economical  ?  Is  the  interest  on  the 


110  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Shurtleir  fund  paid  annually  or  oftener,  so  as  to  secure 
the  use  of  the  money  to  that  professorship.  Are  all 
the  professors  paid  alike  promptly?  Is  it  the  deter- 
mination of  the  Board  to  make  an  effort  to  have  the 
number  of  trustees  increased  at  the  next  Legislature? 
During  the  last  four  months,  or  since  the  last  com- 
mencement, what  amount  has  been  paid  to  the  financial 
agent  and  how  much  has  he  raised  for  the  college?" 

After  mature  deliberation  and  prolonged  consultation 
throngh  a  committee  with  the  members  of  the  visiting 
delegation,  the  Board  of  Trustees  adopted  the  following 
schema  of  explanations  and  vindications,  in  answer  to 
the  inquiries  which  had  been  made.  This  "defense"  gives 
an  excellent  view,  and  one  that  might  not  otherwise  be 
obtained,  of  the  policy  and  methods  of  the  men  who  were 
charged  with  the  duties  of  teaching  and  government.  Its 
main  positions  may  be  indicated  as  follows : 

The  charter  cannot  secure  directly  "to  the  Baptist 
denomination  the  property  belonging  to  the  corporation." 
It  simply  secures  the  property  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
The  Board  of  Trustees  is  a  self-perpetuating  body.  It 
ever  has  been,  now  is,  and  doubtless  ever  will  be  com- 
posed almost  exclusively  of  members  of  Baptist  churches. 
Hence  the  benefit  of  the  property  belonging  to  the  cor- 
poration is  secured,  as  far  probably  as  it  can  be  secured, 
to  the  Baptist  denomination.  In  other  words  the  property 
and  the  school  are  not  bound,  legally  or  formally,  to  the 
Baptist  denomination,  nor  to  any  Baptist  church  or  group 
of  churches.  But  sentiment,  custom  and  history  have 
so  bound  it  by  strong  and  living  bonds.  Further  than 
this,  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  without 
exception,  regard  the  college  as  a  Baptist  institution, 
and  they  are  disposed,  in  all  honesty,  to  carry  out  the 
wishes  of  the  denomination  so  far  as  these  and  the 
means  for  this  purpose  are  furnished. 


TIMES  OF  PERIL.  1 1 1 

Every  student,  on  entering  either  the  preparatory  or 
the  collegiate  department,  is  required  to  pursue,  in  the 
prescribed  order,  the  studies  of  either  the  English  course 
or  the  classical  course.  The  programme  of  studies  as 
announced  in  the  annual  catalogue  is  pursued  most  rigidly. 

The  professors  aim  to  exert,  both  by  precept  and 
example,  the  influence  of  correct  moral  principles.  The 
stated  religious  exercises  in  the  college  consist  of  the 
reading  of  the  Scriptures  and  singing  from  the  Psalmist, 
with  prayer,  morning  and  evening.  Both  of  these  serv- 
ices all  the  students  are  required  to  attend.  Whenever 
the  pressure  of  other  duties  in  the  College  has  per- 
mitted it  the  members  of  the  faculty  have  given 
weekly  expository  lectures  to  the  students,  en- 
deavoring to  explain  the  Scriptures  and  to  enforce 
the  moral  and  religious  duties  therein  enjoined. 
One  of  the  professors  teaches  a  Bible  class  on  the 
Sabbath  composed  of  those  students  who  are 
disposed  to  attend.  All  are  invited,  though  none 
are  compelled  to  enter  the  class.  A  weekly  evening 
prayer  meeting  and  a  Sabbath  morning  prayer  meeting 
are  held  under  the  direction  of  the  students.  All  pupils 
of  the  institution  are  urged  to  attend  these,  and  the  month- 
ly concert  for  prayer  is  observed.  The  students  also  have 
the  privilege  of  attending  religious  meetings  in  town, 
either  statedly  or  occasionally;  and  all  are  required  to 
attend  public  worship  in  the  forenoon  and  afternoon 
of  each  Lord's  day. 

The  College  boarding  house  and  farm  were  leased 
in  January,  1847,  f°r  "the  term  of  six  years,  with  the 
privilege  (to  the  lessee)  of  holding  the  same  four  years 
longer,  unless  some  dissatisfaction  should  arise  on  the 
part  of  the  trustees."  The  lessee  is  bound  to  make 
during  this  period,  at  his  own  cost,  a  variety  of  repairs 
and  improvements,  amounting  to  several  hundred  dol- 


112  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

lars,  and  to  pay  semi-annually  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred 
dollars  per  annum.  The  letting  of  jobs  of  work  for  the 
college  is  intrusted  to  a  standing  committee,  whose  invari- 
able practice  has  been  to  contract  with  such  workmen 
as  would  do  the  work  at  the  lowest  price  and  in  the  best 
manner. 

The  Shurtleff  Professorship  Fund  was  a  special  dona- 
tion which  in  November,  1835,  was  five  thousand  dollars. 
According  to  the  terms  of  the  donor,  the  interest  was  to 
be  added  to  the  principal  annually,  until  it  should  accu- 
mulate a  sufficient  amount  to  endow  the  professorship 
of  oratory,  rhetoric  and  belles  lettres.  This  .process  was 
carried,  on  until  July,  1841,  when  the  professorship  was 
filled  by  the  appointment  of  the  late  Rev.  Zenas  B.  New- 
man. The  fund  at  that  time  was  seven  thousand  dollars 
Since  that  date,  the  interest  (four  hundred  and  twenty 
dollars  per  annum)  has  been  paid  regularly  to  the  incum- 
bent of  the  chair,  and  in  July  last  provision  was  made  for 
the  payment  of  the  same  semi-annually  to  the  professor 
in  charge  of  that  department. 

By  an  arrangement  of  the  board  previous  to  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  third  professor  (Mr.  Adkins),  the  other 
two  professors,  with  the  tutor,  or  principal  of  the  pre- 
paratory department,  were  to  receive  the  income  from 
the  "Term  Bills"  toward  the  payment  of  their  salaries. 
The  last  year  this  income  exceeded  the  amount  of  their 
salaries  by  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  besides 
the  incidental  expenses  of  the  College.  Of  this  excess, 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  has  been  paid  to  the  third 
professor  since  July  last,  and  the  remainder  will  be  paid 
to  him  as  soon  and  as  fast  as  it  can  be  collected.  When 
the  third  professor  was  appointed,  the  Board  of  Trustees 
supposed  they  could  safely  rely  upon  funds  for  the 
prompt  payment  of  his  salary  from  a  different  source. 
In  this  they  have  been  disappointed.  They  are  now  in- 


TIMES  OF  PERIL.  H3 

debted  to  him  some  five  or  six  hundred  dollars,  for  the 
payment  of  which  they  rely  upon  the  income  from  term 
bills  in  part,  and  for  the  rest  they  have  confidence  in  the 
liberality  of  the  friends  of  the  College. 

In  July,  1847,  the  Board  of  Trustees  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  present  to  the  legislature  a  petition  for  a  change 
in  the  College  charter,  extending  the  number  of  the 
trustees  to  thirty-one.  For  reasons  satisfactory  to  the 
Board  the  committee  did  not  present  the  petition  to  the 
legislature  at  its  session  subsequent  to  their  appointment. 
The  Board  in  July  last  appointed  another  committee  to 
present  the  petition  at  the  approaching  session  of  the 
legislature,  and  they  hope  the  petition  will  be  granted. 

The  amount  of  the  salary  of  the  agent  since  the  last 
commencement,  up  to  the  tenth  of  December,  has  been 
two  hundred  and  fifty-seven  dollars  and  eighty-nine 
cents.  This  is  paid.  According  to  the  report  of  the 
agent,  presented  this  day,  he  has  raised  a  little  more  than 
t\vice  this  amount,  in  more  exact  language,  five  hundred 
and  forty-eight  dollars  and  ninety-two  cents. 

Such  in  brief  was  the  substance  of  the  reply  of  the 
Board.  The  visitors  were  thoroughly  satisfied,  and  the 
meeting  closed  with  a  general  and  informal  conference 
on  the  best  means  of  promoting  the  progress  and  influence 
cf  the  school. 

The  president  of  the  Board,  Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards,  had 
resigned  his  office  on  the  day  preceding  the  above  con- 
ference, but  at  the  urgent  request  of  his  co-laborers  he 
withdrew  his  resignation.  The  agent  of  the  College  con- 
cluded his  work,  and  went  out  of  office  a  few  days  after 
the  meeting,  and  Rev.  D.  L.  Phillips  was  appointed  to 
succeed  him.  Such  was  the  breeze  that  blew  over  the 
College,  and  threatened  for  a  time  to  damage  its  influence 
and  even  destroy  its  existence.  And  in  such  fashion  was 
the  way  prepared  for  the  advent  of  the  new  president. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  NORMAN  N.   WOOD,   1851-1855. 

Dr.  Wood:  his  life  and  charadter — Shurtleff's  increase  in  numbers — Its  inner 
development — President  Wood  discovers  Elijah  Gove — The  advent  of  rival 
schools — Ill-advised  utterances — Faculty  changes — The  dormitory  finished — 
A  strict  administration — College  and  people — Agency  work — -Trouble  in  the 
faculty — Theological  Complications — The  "Northerners". 

The  College  had  secured,  in  the  person  of  its  new 
president,  a  man  of  cultivated  mind  and  sound  judg- 
ment. Though  frail  in  body  he  was  sturdy  in  intellect 
and  strong  in  power  of  practical  achievement.  Born  at 
Fairfax,  in  the  state  of  Vermont,  on  the  first  day  of  May, 
1808,  he  had  been  coming  gradually  westward.  After 
his  graduation  at  Middlebury  College  in  1835,  he  became 
principal  of  an  academy  at  Black  River,  in  his  native 
state.  He  began  his  theological  studies  at  the  seminary 
in  Hamilton,  New  York,  but  discontinued  them  when  a 
few  months  had  passed,  on  account  of  rapidly  failing 
health.  He  afterward  held  several  pastorates,  coming 
from  Ohio  to  Alton.  In  June  of  the  year  in  which  he  ar- 
rived in  Illinois,  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  from  Granville  College,  and  during  the  summer 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  Dunlap,  the  daughter  of 
Colonel  James  Dunlap,  of  Jacksonville,  a  friend  and  sup- 
porter of  Shurtleff.  After  his  four  years  in  the  work 
of  the  presidency  Dr.  Wood  moved  on  westward,  taking 
the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Palmyra,  Mis- 

114 


PRESIDENT     NORMAN     N.     WOOD. 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  1 15 

souri.  This  was  his  only  pastoral  charge  after  leaving 
Alton.  At  the  commencement  of  the  civil  war  he  became 
a  chaplain  in  the  army,  and  at  the  close  of  the  rebellion 
he  settled  in  Jacksonville,  devoting  the  remaining  nine 
years  of  his  life  to  scholastic  and  literary  labors.  Dur- 
ing a  part  of  this  period  he  taught  in  the  young  ladies' 
seminary  in  that  city. 

Dr.  Wood  was  a  good  example  of  a  thoroughly  educated 
man.  His  mind  was  singularly  clear,  his  habit  of  thought 
severely  analytical,  his  conversation  enriched  by  the  use 
of  choice  language,  and  marked  by  a  natural  elegance 
of  expression.  Though  in  later  years  he  became  more 
and  more  of  a  solitary  student,  less  and  less  a  man 
among  men,  in  the  days  of  his  prime  he  possessed  an  ag- 
gressive power  of  action  which  made  his  work  successful 
and  productive.  He  was  not,  however,  at  any  time  in 
life,  a  man  of  free  and  easy  ways.  He  was  nervous  and 
very  sensitive  to  criticism,  though  by  nature  a  critic  him- 
self. The  shafts  of  his  sarcasm,  when  he  hurled  them 
forth,  struck  deep  and  rankled  long.  So  he  made 
enemies  as  well  as  friends.  He  was  not  always  thoroughly 
understood  by  his  associates,  or  the  real  underlying  great- 
ness of  his  character  would  have  been  appreciated  more 
perfectly.  He  was  genuinely  sincere  and  truly  noble  of 
heart.  His  dignified  manner  was  rather  the  quiet  re- 
serve of  true  manhood  than  the  conceit  of  pedantry  or 
arrogance. 

So  far  as  the  internal  condition  of  the  school  was  con- 
cerned Dr.  Wood's  administration  began  under  favorable 
auspices.  In  the  first  year  of  his  presidency  there  were 
one  hundred  and  thirty  students  enrolled.  Forty-five 
of  these  were  members  of  the  College  proper,  twenty- 
two  taking  the  classical,  and  twenty-three  the  Eng- 
lish, course.  There  were  eleven  freshmen,  seven 


tl6  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

sophomores,  three  juniors  and  one  senior.  The  num- 
ber of  students  was  considerably  increased  by  the 
establishment  of  an  elementary  course,  styled  the 
"Junior  Preparatory  Department."  This  included  be- 
tween thirty  and  forty  young  boys,  almost  all  of  whom 
were  residents  of  Alton  and  Upper  Alton.  Owing  to 
the  differences  of  age  and  advancement  which  were  thus 
introduced  into  the  school,  the  student  body  was  divided 
into  two  classes,  which  met  for  chapel  services  and  other 
exercises  at  different  hours  and  in  different  buildings. 
The  smaller  boys  were  under  the  special  supervision  of 
Tutor  Cunningham. 

The  classical  course  in  the  preparatory  department  in- 
cluded two  terms  of  English  grammar,  two  of  arithmetic, 
two  of  bookkeeping  and  one  of  algebra ;  two  years  of 
Latin  and  one  of  Greek;  together  with  two  terms  of 
classical  geography  and  written  translations.  Plane 
geometry  was  begun  in  the  freshman  year  in  College,  and 
the  work  in  algebra  was  continued  in  the  sophomore  year. 
The  requirements  were  well  abreast  of  those  in  the  best 
western  colleges  of  the  day.  In  the  junior  and  senior 
years  in  College  the  students  were  required  to  follow 
courses  of  text-book  work  in  anatomy  and  physiology ;  in 
chemistry,  mineralogy  and  geology ;  in  natural  philosophy 
and  the  philosophy  of  natural  history;  in  botany  and 
astronomy.  The  religious  element  was  never  and  no- 
where neglected.  The  seniors,  juniors  and  English  course 

students  of  the  second  and  third  years  recited  in  Paley's 
"Evidences  of  Christianity"  throughout  one  full  year; 
the  sophomores,  freshmen  and  English  course  men  of 

the  first  year  constituted  a  class  in  Paley's  "Natural 
Theology,"  running  through  one  year;  while  all  mem- 
bers of  the  preparatory  department  studied  Nevins' 
"Biblical  Antiquities."  These  courses  were  all  obligatory. 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  1 1? 

Almost  at  the  beginning  of  his  administration,  Presi- 
dent Wood  made  a  tour  through  the  northern  part  of  the 
state,  in  the  course  of  which  he  secured  a  donation  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  from  Mr.  Elijah  Gove, 
of  Quincy,  and  the  pledge  of  a  further  amount  of  five 
thousand  dollars.  To  discover  such  a  man  as  Elijah 
Gove,  and  elicit  his  cordial  sympathy  in  behalf  of 
the  school,  were  in  themselves  very  gratifying  results. 
To  secure  a  donation,  with  the  sure  promise  of  yet  larger 
gifts,  and  to  leave  the  benefactor  feeling  deeply  interested 
in  the  cause  to  which  he  had  been  asked  to  contribute, 
were  notable  achievements.  All  of  these  ends  Dr.  Wood 
accomplished.  He  also,  with  vigorous  voice,  urged  and 
emphasized  the  necessity  for  larger  productive  endow- 
ments, so  it  was  determined  to  inaugurate  at  once  a  plan 
of  campaign,  with  the  object  of  securing  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  the  first  fifteen  thousand  of  which 
should  be  devoted  to  the  endowment  of  the  president's 
chair. 

Mr.  Edwards  having  again  presented  his  resignation, 
and  insisted  upon  its  acceptance,  the  president  of  the 
College  was  elected  to  serve  also  as  the  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees.  The  building  committee,  in  whose 
hands,  for  many  years,  large  powers  of  executive  con- 
trol had  been  vested,  was  discharged ;  and  in  its  stead  a 
finance  committee  and  an  executive  committee  were  ap- 
pointed. The  members  of  the  former  were  directed  to 
take  charge  of  the  financial  interests  of  the  College,  and 
incidentally  to  accomplish  the  revision  of  the  by-laws, 
while  to  the  latter  was  committed  the  general  supervision 
of  the  affairs  of  the  College  in  the  intervals  between 
the  sessions  of  the  Board.  The  executive  committee,  as 
originally  constituted,  consisted  of  Mr.  Orleans  M. 
Adams,  Major  George  W.  Long  and  Rev.  J.  N.  Tolman. 


Il8  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

They  were  appointed  on  the  twenty- fourth  of  September, 
1852,  and  twelve  clays  later  they  held  their  first  meeting 
for  the  transaction  of  business.  To  their  prudent  super- 
vision, together  with  the  excellent  financial  and  adminis- 
trative ability  possessed  by  President  Wood,  was  largely 
due  the  increased  prosperity  of  the  College  in  the  years 
immediately  succeeding.  The  friends  of  education  were 
full  of  courage.  One  of  them  writes  of  the  school  that 
"it  has  passed  in  a  series  of  years,  varying  in  changes  and 
vicissitudes,  through  an  ordeal  of  trouble  and  well-nigh 
utter  desolation,  ever  wavering  betwixt  hope  and  despair, 
until  it  has  come  to  stand  upon  a  perfectly  safe  and  per- 
manent basis ;  its  present  and  prospective  condition  is 
truly  flattering."1 

This  prosperity  was  won  in  the  face  of  divisive  tend- 
encies, and  the  advent  of  competitive  schools.  An  educa- 
tional inspiration  had  seized  the  people.  For  twenty-three 
years  the  Baptists  of  Illinois  had  concentrated  their  efforts 
and  their  gifts  in  the  institution  founded  by  John  M.  Peck. 
Then  a  half  dozen  rival  schools  sprang  into  being  almost 
in  a  night.  At  the  same  meeting  of  the  General  Associa- 
tion in  which  the  injurious  reports  concerning  Shurt- 
leff  were  discussed  and  the  committee  of  investigation 
adopted,  resolutions  were  adopted,  commending  the  Mt. 
Palatine  Academy,  an  incorporated  institution  chartered 
"to  the  Baptist  denomination"  and  under  the  joint  prin- 
cipalship  of  Rev.  O.  Fisher  and  Rev.  C.  M.  Wright ;  the 
P'emale  Institute  at  Springfield,  under  the  direction  of 
Rev.  T.  C.  Teasdale ;  the  Female  Institution  at  Canton,  of 
which  Rev.  C.  Davidson  was  the  official  head,  and  the 
Academy  at  Carrollton,  in  charge  of  Dr.  John  Russell, 
formerly  principal  at  Rock  Spring.  Mention  was  also 

'Letter  in  Alton  Daily  Morning  Courier,  December   13,    1852. 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  1 19 

made  of  the  Peoria  Female  Seminary,  and  of  a  literary 
and  theological  institution,  about  to  be  established  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  state.  In  the  following  year  the 
Rock  Island  High  School  and  Female  Seminary  was  . 
opened,  under  the  care  of  J.  W.  Denison  and  Professor 
A.  Briggs,  and  a  large  brick  building  was  reported  to  be 
in  process  of  construction. 

In  the  face  of  all  this  competition,  and  in  part  be- 
cause of  the  stimulus  which  the  fact  of  rivalry  excited, 
Shurtleff  was  steadily  forging  forward.  She  continued 
to  enlist  friends  new  and  old  in  her  service,  though 
now  and  then  an  unfortunate  happening  caused  her  to  lose 
a  little  ground.  At  the  anniversary  exercises  in  1853  a 
momentary  ripple  raised  a  world  of  talk.  The  orator 
of  the  year,  in  a  stalwart  defense  of  Christian  education, 
took  occasion  to  let  loose  the  vials  of  his  wrath  upon  the 
Roman  Catholics,  in  a  manner  and  with  a  zeal  "uncalled 
for,"  "unexpected"  and  "unjustifiable."  His  address  was 
regarded  as  a  most  violent  philippic,  and  directly  discour- 
teous to  those  patrons  of  the  school  who  belonged  to  the 
Romish  faith.  Besides,  the  speaker  had  stirred  the  emo- 
tions of  many  people  in  the  audience  who  were  not  Bap- 
tists, by  his  assertion  that  "the  Baptists  alone  circulated 
the  Bible,  the  whole  Bible."  The  good  people  went  forth 
from  the  meeting  to  say,  and  to  reiterate  with  no  stint 
of  emphasis,  that  not  only  love  for  the  truth,  but  an 
ordinary  respect  for  motives  of  policy,  should  have  led 
the  orator  to  be  more  guarded  in  his  words.  The  sensa- 
tional statements  of  narrow-minded  men  often  bring 
harm  to  the  cause  they  champion. 

In  the  summer  of  1853  there  were  changes  manifold  in 
the  ranks  of  the  faculty.  Professors  Washington  and 
Warren  Leverett  resigned  their  respective  positions  in 
spite  of  the  vigorous  protest  of  the  Board.  As  appears 
later  in  the  narrative  this  severance  of  relations  was  only 


120  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

temporary.  Rev.  Justus  Bulkley,  then  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Jerseyville,  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  mathe- 
matics and  natural  philosophy,  to  succeed  Professor 
Washington  Leverett;  while  Mr.  Orlando  L.  Castle, 
A.  M.,  of  Ohio,  was  called  to  the  professorship  of  ora- 
tory, rhetoric  and  belles  Icttres,  which  had  been  filled  for 
six  years  by  Professor  Adkins.  The  department  of  Latin 
and  Greek,  until  then  conducted  by  Professor  Warren 
Leverett,  was  transferred  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Adkins,  while 
Mr.  Bulkley  undertook  the  duties  of  librarian,  as  Profes- 
sor Washington  Leverett's  successor.  Mr.  James  R.  Kay, 
a  graduate  of  ShurtlefF  in  the  class  of  1852,  became 
principal  of  the  preparatory  department,  in  place  of  Mr. 
Philip  P.  Brown,  and  Dr.  Alexander  Ansman  assumed 
the  duties  of  lecturer  in  chemistry. 

These  changes  were  startling  and  radical  upheavals,  yet 
the  faith  of  the  trustees  remained  firm,  and  they  set  in 
motion  at  this  very  time  a  plan  for  enlargement.  Through 
the  executive  committee  they  agreed  to  a  proposition  of 
J.  H.  Teasdale,  of  St.  Louis,  to  complete  the  interior  of 
the  dormitory,  including  the  thirty-two  unfinished  rooms, 
the  halls,  and  the  stairways,  for  three  thousand  two  hund- 
red dollars.  Rev.  John  Teasdale  was  appointed  to  collect 
funds  to  meet  this  proposed  outlay,  while  Rev.  Z.  B. 
Lawson  was  also  appointed  as  an  agent,  and  each  of  these 
gentlemen  was  guaranteed  a  salary  of  one  thousand  dollars 
a  year  and  travelling  expenses.  In  order  that  the  work 
of  interior  construction  might  begin  immediately,  Mr. 
Teasdale  the  agent  suggested  that  one  thousand  dollars  be 
borrowed  by  the  College,  but  the  trustees  very  promptly 
and  emphatically  refused  to  sanction  such  a  step.  As  a  mat- 
ter of  fact  they  were  considerably  embarrassed  by  the 
claims  of  teachers  for  unpaid  salaries,  and  were  arranging 
to  sell  a  number  of  lots  of  land  in  order  to  secure  the  men- 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  121 

eys  necessary  to  meet  these  demands.  The  contractors 
went  forward  with  the  work,  and  before  Christmas  time 
the  dormitory  was  entirely  finished,  and  every  room,  from 
garret  to  cellar,  was  ready  for  occupancy.  The  Alpha 
Zeta  Society  was  given  possession  of  "a  spacious  hall, 
fitted  up  and  furnished  in  good  taste,"  on  the  fourth  story. 
The  rooms  reserved  for  students  were  almost  all  engaged 
at  the  outset,  and  no  less  than  seventy  young  men  took 
up  their  residence  in  the  building  at  the  opening  of  the 
second  term,  on  the  nineteenth  of  December,  1853.  Eight 
of  these  were  day-roomers,  having  their  homes  in  Alton 
or  Upper  Alton ;  the  others  were  all  from  a  distance.  The 
charge  for  room-rent  was  only  two  dollars  per  term  for 
each  student,  but  this  amount  covered  merely  the  cost  of 
the  bare  room,  as  the  College  provided  no  furniture,  fuel 
or  light.  Good  board  was  supplied  at  the  boarding  house 
near  by,  and  in  private  families,  at  from  one  dollar  and 
sixty  cents  to  one  dollar  and  seventy-five  cents  per  week. 
Washing  cost  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  cents  for  a  dozen 
pieces;  wood  was  from  two  dollars  to  three  dollars  per 
cord ;  while  the  entire  expense  of  a  careful  student,  exclu- 
sive of  clothes  and  pocket  money,  was  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty  dollars. 

The  discipline  of  the  school,  in  Dr.  Wood's  day,  was 
firmly  and  even  rigorously  administered.  Distant  and 
somewhat  cold  in  his  manner,  seclusive  in  his  habits,  strict 
and  scholarly  in  his  teaching,  the  president  insisted  on 
faithful  work  in  the  class-room  and  blameless  behavior 
abroad,  in  the  case  of  all  students  who  were  placed  under 
his  direction.  He  was  respected  and  feared  rather  than 
loved  by  those  who  acknowledged  his  superiority.  In- 
temperance and  profanity  were  more  or  less  common  in 
the  school,  and  these  vices  were  dealt  with  by  severe  and 
uncompromising  methods.  Even  in  the  annual  catalogue 


122  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

the  stigma  of  expulsion  was  publicly  affixed  to  the  names 
of  two  students.  The  laws  of  the  college  were  posted  and 
published  conspicuously,  and  obedience  and  diligence 
were  insisted  upon.  A  regular  scale  of  credits  and 
charges  was  kept,  all  delinquencies  were  faithfully 
recorded,  and  tardiness  or  absence  from  recitations,  be- 
sides all  graver  offenses,  affected  the  standing  of  the  stu- 
dent and  influenced  the  assignment  of  scholastic  honors. 

The  College  gained  surely  and  steadily  under  this  strong 
government,  and  the  number  of  students  in  the  advanced 
classes  increased  more  rapidly  than  in  any  previous  period. 
Nearly  forty  young  men  were  enrolled  in  the  undergradu- 
ate classes.  Though  the  loss  of  the  older  professors  was 
deeply  felt  the  College  had  a  most  competent  staff  of 
zealous  teachers,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Wood,  Adkins, 
Bulkley,  Castle,  Ansman  and  Kay.  They  gave  their  whole 
thought  and  care  to  their  pupils.  Among  the  members 
of  the  brilliant  a*nd  vigorous  student  body  were  a  number 
of  young  men  who  have  since  attained  distinction.  The 
mere  mention  of  the  names  of  Judge  David  J.  Baker, 
Judge  Thomas  A.  Sherwood,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Missouri,  Dr.  John  B.  Jackson,  Hon.  George  A.  Smith, 
Dr.  Cyrus  F.  Tolman,  and  Prof.  R.  P.  Rider,  will  indi- 
cate the  character  of  the  student-group  which  gathered 
day  by  day  in  the  class-rooms  of  "old  Shurtleff"  in  the 
early  fifties. 

Nevertheless,  a  feeling  was  abroad,  and  was  growing 
stronger  each  year,  that  the  College  in  all  of  its  work  was 
unduly  isolated.  Its  professors  were  quiet  men,  who  went 
about  their  own  business,  mingling  little  in  the  affairs  of 
the  denomination.  The  trustees  were  a  self-perpetuating 
body,  and  were  regarded  in  some  quarters  as  a  sort  of 
mutual  admiration  society,  re-electing  themselves  to  office 
in  a  courteous  way  year  after  year,  but  doing  little  by  in- 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  123 

tense  and  heroic  effort  to  lift  the  College  to  a  plane  of 
larger  influence.  The  General  Association  of  the  state 
sought  to  remedy  the  dangers  of  the  situation  by  calling 
upon  the  trustees  of  the  College  to  allow  the  Education 
•  Society  to  nominate  each  year  a  certain  proportion  of  the 
College  trustees.  By  this  means  the  connection  between 
the  school  and  the  churches  would  be  strengthened.  Also, 
the  gifts  of  the  churches  to  the  young  ministers  in  at- 
tendance at  the  school  would  be  fittingly  reciprocated,  ac- 
cording to  the  new  scheme,  by  the  granting  of  power  to 
the  representatives  of  these  churches  to  control  the  ap- 
pointment of  certain  members  of  the  governing  body  of 
the  College,  through  the  medium  of  the  Education  So- 
ciety. The  general  association  promised  to  aid  the  work 
of  the  institution  and  to  co-operate  in  securing  a  greatly 
increased  endowment,  if  their  request  were  favorably  con- 
sidered. 

After  some  discussion  the  trustees  gave  their  consent 
to  the  new  plan,  and  for  several  years  thereafter  its 
conditions  were  observed.  It  should  have  been  prose- 
cuted more  energetically,  for  it  provided  an  unequalled 
opportunity.  It  opened  the  doors  of  the  churches  more 
widely  than  ever  before  to  college  influence.  Since  the 
Education  Society  and  the  State  Association  met  each 
year  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  place,  the  new 
movement  brought  into  intimate  relationship  the  interests 
and  aims  of  the  College,  and  the  plans  and  ideals  of  the 
churches.  Had  the  advantage  which  it  provided  been 
properly  used  the  denomination  would  soon  have  under- 
stood its  responsibility,  while  the  school  would  have  felt 
the  thrill  of  a  richer  life.  At  the  present  day,  on  account 
of  the  rival  claims  of  various  colleges,  it  is  impossible  for 
any  one  of  these  to  secure  the  loyal  co-operation  and  un- 
divided sympathy  of  the  churches  at  large.  Anything 


124  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

more  than  a  flat,  stale,  and  unprofitable  general  endorse- 
ment from  the  association  of  churches  representing  the 
state,  is  not  expected ;  and  when,  as  on  several  occasions  in 
very  recent  years,  either  a  local  association  or  the  state 
body  has  ventured  upon  a  more  definite  recognition  of  any 
school,  to  a  partial  or  entire  disregard  of  the  others,  a  war 
of  words,  straining  heavily  upon  the  bond  of  diplomatic 
courtesy  and  Christian  comity,  has  ensued.  When 
Shurtleff  was  alone  in  the  field  the  way  was  cleared,  by 
the  state  association  itself,  for  a  closer  union  of  interests 
and  work  than  has  ever  in  point  of  fact  been  accom- 
plished; but,  after  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Wood,  and  in 
consequence  of  the  lack  of  a  sufficient  number  of  vigorous 
leaders  on  the  College  side,  the  nomination  of  trustees 
became  a  mere  formal  affair,  so  in  a  short  time  the  rule 
was  abandoned  and  the  earlier  method  of  election  was 
revived. 

The  labors  of  the  agents  soon  began  to  bear  fruit  in  in- 
creased endowments  and  pledges  of  further  aid.  Mr. 
Lawson  and  Mr.  Teasdale  spent  only  a  short  time  in  the 
service  of  the  College,  but  a  standing  committee  on 
agencies  was  appointed,  and  commissioned  to  district  the 
state,  assign  to  the  agents  their  respective  fields,  direct 
their  itineraries,  and  maintain  a  vigorous  system  of  agency 
service.  Four  agents  were  at  once  employed  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  the  committee,  and  two  of  these,  Professor 
Bulkley  and  Rev.  I.  D.  Newell,  entered  upon  their  duties 
at  once.  Mr.  Newell  had  been  employed  during  the  three 
previous  months.  During  the  summer  of  1854  Professor 
Bulkley  wrought  with  unremitting  energy.  He  first  vis- 
isted  Chicago;  but  that  city  was  being  devastated  by  the 
cholera  scourge  and  business  was  almost  at  a  standstill. 
He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  time  within  the  limits  of 
the  Ouincy  Association.  Although  hindered  by  the  execs- 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  125 

sive  heat  and  his  own  ill -health,  he  Obtained  notes  and 
pledges  to  the  amount  of  sixteen  hundred  dollars.  lie 
also  secured  the  five  thousand  dollars  previously  pledged 
by  Mr.  Elijah  Gove  to  Dr.  Wood  on  condition  that  forty- 
five  thousand  dollars  of  permanent  and  available  funds 
should  be  added  to  the  endowment  within  five  years.  This 
was  a  truly  great  work  for  a  single  summer.  The  College 
owed  at  this  time  to  teachers,  contractors  and  other  cred- 
itors nearly  seven  thousand  dollars,  upward  of  thirty-five 
hundred  of  which  was  due  to  professors  and  ex-professors. 
The  campus  and  buildings,  together  with  lots  and  land 
owned  by  the  College,  were  valued  at  thirty-seven  thou- 
sand five  hundred  dollars,  while  the  interest-bearing  notes 
in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  aggregated  a  little  less  than 
twenty  thousand,  one-third  of  which  amount  was  fully 
secured.  An  additional  six  thousand  had  recently  been 
subscribed  in  Chicago,  the  interest  upon  which  would  be 
payable  as  soon  as  the  amount  of  the  subscription  should 
reach  fifty  thousand  dollars.  Thus  the  financial  outlook 
was  becoming  rather  more  encouraging.  The  sky  seemed 
bright  with  hope,  yet  already,  sad  to  say,  the  cloud  that 
overspread  the  sky  with  darkness  was  above  the  horizon's 
edge. 

In  1854-55  there  were  a  few  slight  changes  in  the  per- 
sonnel of  the  faculty.  Mr.  Ebenezer  Marsh,  Jr.,  suc- 
ceeded Dr.  Ansman  as  lecturer  in  chemistry,  mineralogy 
and  geology,  and  Rev.  Elihu  J.  Palmer  became  principal 
of  the  preparatory  department.  President  Wood  and  the 
three  senior  professors  continued  in  office.  That  the  work 
of  these  three  men  was  regarded  as  eminently  satisfac- 
tory appears  from  the  fact  that  their  salaries,  in  answer  to 
their  own  petition,  had  been  increased  to  eight  hundred 
dollars  each  at  the  close  of  the  year  preceding.  This 
increase  of  salary  is  the  more  significant  from  the 


126  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

fact  that  it  was  made  before  the  work  of  the 
agents  had  rendered  the  financial  condition  of  the 
school  more  promising.  It  was  hardly  a  safe  move, 
and  it  was  resolutely  opposed  by  the  wise  and  faith- 
ful veteran,  Dr.  Peck,  who  declared,  in  the  course  of  a 
private  letter  to  Mr.  Tolman,  that  "if  the  salaries  of  the 
professors  are  raised  this  year  the  College  is  hopelessly 
gone.  The  annual  expenses  of  that  department  are  now 
$3,280  per  annum,  of  which  $3,000  are  for  teachers' 
salaries.  The  income  from  all  sources  is  less  than  $2,000. 
I  will  make  a  supplement  to  the  report,  which  will  show 
the  true  cause  of  our  embarrassments,  and  the  only  means 
of  relief."  The  fulfillment  of  Dr.  Peck's  prophecy  was 
hindered  by  the  energetic  labors  of  Dr.  Bulkley  as  the 
collecting  agent.  But  other  dangers  threatened  the  Col- 
lege with  collapse  and  ruin. 

In  spite  of  the  efficient  and  praiseworthy  labors  of  the 
teachers,  grumblings  and  mutterings  had  been  vexing 
the  air,  and  trouble  was  brewing.  In  the  spring  an  un- 
fortunate difference  had  arisen  between  the  president 
and  his  co-laborers.  There  was  lack  of  harmony  in  the 
management  of  College  affairs,  the  executive  duties  being 
left  almost  entirely  with  the  professors,  while  the  presi- 
dent lived  at  a  distance  from  the  school,  and  refrained 
from  bringing  himself  into  close  and  sympathetic  rela- 
tions with  either  the  teachers  or  the  students.  The  pro- 
fessors approached  the  trustees  in  reference  to  the  mat- 
ter, and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  adjust  the  difficulty, 
which  they  succeeded  in  doing  after  some  delay.  The 
schism  was  bridged  rather  than  healed,  however,  for 
another  complaint  soon  came  from  Mr.  Adkins  (who  was 
charged  with  the  collection  of  the  term  bills),  endorsed 
by  his  colleagues  on  the  faculty,  in  reference  to  the  unjust 
apportionment  of  salaries.  The  tuition  bills  had  been 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  I2/ 

divided  pro  rata  among  the  professors,  excluding  the 
president,  but  according  to  a  new  rule,  made  by  the 
trustees,  President  Wood  was  permitted  to  share  in  this 
arrangement,  and  thus  the  amount  of  cash  payments  to 
the  other  professors  was  diminished.  As  President  Wood 
received  a  portion  of  his  salary  from  the  interest  on  cer- 
tain endowments,  he  was  manifestly  at  an  advantage  over 
the  others. 

In  addition  to  these  other  troubles  the  income  from  tui- 
tion fees  and  interest  on  endowment  and  interest-bearing 
notes  was  not  sufficient  to  pay  the  balance  of  the  salaries 
of  the  faculty,  and  such  a  situation  was  a  constant  embar- 
rassment. A  theological  reason  loomed  also,  and  mightily, 
in  the  background.  Some  of  the  members  of  the  teaching 
staff  had  the  hardihood  to  declare  themselves  in  sympathy 
with  the  movement  for  the  revision  of  the  Scriptures, 
known  as  the  "Bible  Union  Version,"  and  thus  brought 
upon  themselves  the  censure  of  certain  friends  of  the 
school.  This  combination  of  untoward  circumstances  led 
the  trustees  to  suggest  to  the  professors  the  wisdom  of 
their  resignation.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  J.  A. 
Smith,  of  Chicago,  the  editor  of  the  "Christian  Times," 
and  Rev.  S.  Y.  McMasters,  had  called  upon  the  profes- 
sors, and  performed  the  delicate  task  of  advising  them  to 
sever  their  connection  with  the  College.  They  complied 
with  courteous  promptitude,  and  without  protest  or  com- 
plaint. When  the  fact  of  the  resignations  became  known 
the  students  added  to  the  general  confusion  by  passing  a 
set  of  .resolutions,  expressing  their  confidence  in  the  pro- 
fessors, and  begging  for  their  reappointment.  The  gov- 
erning body  paid  little  attention  to  this  well-meaning  but 
rather  alarming  attempt  of  the  undergraduates  to  direct 
their  affairs  and  dictate  their  policy.  At  the  close  of  the 
academic  year  the  College  was  left  without  a  president 
and  without  a  faculty. 


128  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

The  trustees  distinctly  repudiated  the  charge  that  the 
opinions  of  any  members  of  the  faculty  on  the  subject 
of  Bible  revision  had  influenced  them  in  urging  the 
resignation  of  the  teaching  staff,  claiming  that  private 
differences  among  members  of  the  faculty,  and  pecu- 
niary difficulties,  were  alone  responsible  for  their  ac- 
tion. In  spite  of  this  protest,  however,  there  seems  lit- 
tle doubt  that  the  exploitation  of  the  theological  episode 
among  the  Baptist  people  of  the  state  brought  matters  to 
a  crisis.  At  the  time  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Palmer 
to  a  position  in  the  College  a  prominent  pastor  had  written 
to  one  of  the  members  of  the  faculty :  "Will  you  be  kind 
enough  to  inform  me  who  employed  Rev.  E.  J.  Palmer  as 
principal  of  the  preparatory  department?  I  regard  it  as 
a  peculiarly  unfortunate  movement  to  place  another  Bible 
Union  man  on  the  Board  of  the  institution.  .  .  . 
The  great  obstacle  in  the  way  of  endowment  is  the 
jealousy  of  the  friends  of  the  American  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society."  Dr.  Peck  urged  the  Board  to  pass  a  reso- 
lution prohibiting  any  member  of  the  faculty  from  taking 
any  public  part  in  the  revision  question.  He  affirmed 
that  a  pledge  on  the  part  of  each  teacher  to  keep  aloof 
from  the  vexed  questions  of  the  day,  that  of  revision 
among  the  rest,  would  solve  the  difficulty. 

The  leader  of  the  forces  which  practically  deposed  the 
faculty  was  Rev.  J.  C.  Burroughs,  D.  D.',  afterward  the 
first  president  of  the  old  University  of  Chicago.  He 
sought  in  various  ways  to  prevent  the  re-election  of  the 
professors,  and  strongly  advocated  the  appointment  of 
Dr.  McMasters  as  acting  president.  After  numerous 
meetings  and  extended  deliberations  Dr.  Burroughs  was 
called  to  the  presidency  of  Shurtleff,  and,  as  he  desired 
time  to  consider  the  question,  Rev.  S.  Y.  McMasters, 
LL.  D.,  the  rector  of  St.  Paul's  Protestant  Episcopal 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  129 

Church  in  Alton,  was  elected  acting  president  of  the 
College,  and  the  Board  associated  with  him  Oscar  Howes 
as  professor  of  Greek  and  Latin,  Washington  Leverett  as 
professor  of  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy, 
Ebenezer  Marsh,  Jr.,  as  professor  of  chemistry,  miner- 
alogy and  geology,  and  William  A.  Castle  as  principal 
of  the  preparatory  department ;  while  O.  L.  Castle  was  re- 
appointed  to  the  chair  of  oratory  and  belles  lettres.  In 
the  February  following  Mr.  Marsh  was  released  from 
his  duties  in  order  to  prosecute  his  studies  in  Europe. 
The  other  arrangements  continued  throughout  the  year, 
and  the  services  of  Dr.  McMasters  were  highly  valued. 
Meanwhile  Dr.  Burroughs  was  being  strongly  urged  by 
his  friends  to  accept  the  presidency,  and  the  Baptists  of 
Chicago  had  promised  to  endow  the  president's  chair, 
"if  the  right  man  could  be  found."  The  "right  man" 
in  their  estimation  was  Dr.  Burroughs,  for  they  regarded 
him  as  "eminently  adapted  to  that  place,"  while  they  had 
"no  patience  with"  Dr.  Wood.  The  gentleman  who  had 
been  laboring  for  some  months  as  the  financial  agent  of 
the  College,  and  who  had  been  in  the  thick  of  the  battle 
against  the  revisionist  professors,  refused  to  continue  his 
labors  unless  Dr.  Burroughs  should  accept  the  presidency, 
although  he  was  perfectly  willing  to  attend  to  the  suit 
against  the  College  which  Professor  Adkins  had  already 
commenced  for  arrears  of  salary.  When  June  arrived 
Dr.  Burroughs  was  still  undecided,  and  refused  to  answer 
the  trustees,  either  by  a  definite  acceptance  or  a  definite 
rejection  of  their  appointment.  Being  urged  for  a  de- 
cision, however,  he  declined  the  office,  but  almost  imme- 
diately afterward  asked  for  a  reconsideration,  which  was 
refused.  He  therefore  resigned  his  seat  on  the  govern- 
ing board,  and  one  or  two  of  his  friends  did  the  same, 
The  real  reason  of  Dr.  Burroughs'  temporizing  policy  was 


130  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

the  fact  that  he  was  straining  every  nerve  to  establish  a 
University  at  Chicago;  but,  fearing  that  he  might  be 
unsuccessful  in  this  effort,  he  wished  to  hold  the  oppor- 
tunity at  Shurtleff  in  reserve.1 

With  sad  lack  of  courtesy  the  trustees  closed  the  door 
which  had  been  conveniently  left  open  at  Alton  for  one 
entire  year.  A  short  time  after  they  tendered  the  presi- 
dency of  the  College  to  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith,  of  Chicago, 
who  at  once  declined  the  honor.  It  was  a  time  of  peril 
indeed  and  suspicions  were  rife  on  every  hand.  The  Old 
Pioneer  was  thoroughly  aroused.  His  righteous  soul 
burned  with  indignation,  for  he  feared  that  certain  de- 
struction menaced.  He  writes  after  the  following  fashion 
concerning  "the  Chicago  clique,"  as  he  terms  them : 

"It  is  just  as  I  expected.  The  Chicago  and  northern 
folks  are  cunning  and  adroit.  They  are  resolved  to  hang 
on  to  the  paper,  the  General  Association,  the  Educational 
Society,  and  the  College,  all  to  answer  their  sectional  pur- 
poses. They  make  no  direct  attack  on  the  College,  wish 
it  well,  but  their  policy  is  to  keep  it  embarrassed,  and  to 
keep  the  good  folks  in  the  middle  section  of  the  state  from 
having  any  confidence  in  its  success  as  a  College.  They 
are  quite  willing  we  should  have  a  school,  a  Seminary,  but 
their  aim  is  to  bring  the  main  body  of  the  denomination 
through  the  state  to  work  in  their  Great  University 
project.  I  think  I  have  a  plan  that  will  effectually  coun- 
teract them  and  rally  all  the  friends  to  build  up  Shurtleff, 
and  get  rid  of  the  North  without  a  pitched  battle.  Mr. 
Phillips  was  at  my  house  last  Saturday  and  he  accords 
with  my  views  and  says  the  south  end  can  be  aroused  to 
help.  .  .  .  I  write  now  in  haste  to  make  a  sugges- 
tion. We  must  have  a  president,  one  who  can  be  relied 

'See  the  Manuscript  Records  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Shurtleff  College,  Vol.  II.  pp.  171,  ff. 


DR.   WOOD'S  ADMINISTRATION.  I31 

upon,  one  who  knows  all  about  the  College  and  its  diffi- 
culties. I  suggest  your  pastor,  Rev.  R.  R.  Coon.  He  is 
a  first-rate  critical  scholar,  well-qualified,  and  (if  I  am 
not  mistaken)  has  had  experience  in  teaching  and  gov- 
ernment. He  has  adaptation  to  such  a  position.  And  if 
your  church  is  not  ready  to  give  him  up,  arrangements 
can  be  made  for  him  to  take  a  general  supervision  only 
for  the  first  year,  and  continue  his  pastoral  relation  a 
while,  until  your  church  can  find  a  good  successor.  You 
can  find  ten  good  pastors  where  you  will  find  one  good 
president  suited  for  Shurtleff  College.  Think  of  it,  and 
if  you  think  proper  talk  a  little  with  members  of  the 
Board  and  Mr.  Coon.  I  hope  and  expect  to  get  to  your 
Board  meeting  of  the  3Oth." 

Acting  promptly  upon  the  suggestion  contained  in  this 
letter  the  trustees  tendered  the  presidency  to  Mr.  Coon, 
and  he,  acting  promptly  upon  his  knowledge  of  existing 
conditions  in  and  about  the  College,  decided  to  remain 
in  the  ministry.  The  letter  of  the  Pioneer  sounds  some- 
what harsh,  when  read  without  knowledge  of  the  context. 
Apart  from  any  attempt  to  justify  the  strong  language  that 
is  used  it  is  well  to  call  attention  to  two  facts.  Dr.  Peck 
was  devoted  heart  and  soul  to  the  College.  He  was  far 
more  jealous  of  its  welfare  than  of  any  personal  interests. 
Also,  he  saw  serious  peril  for  the  institution  in  the 
methods  that  some  of  its  "Northern"  supporters  were 
following.  He  was  sure  that  such  a  policy  as  was  being 
attempted  would  result  either  in  the  closing  of  the  doors 
of  the  College,  or  in  its  reduction  to  the  rank  of  a 
secondary  school,  tributary  to  a  great  university.  Be- 
sides that,  the  old  man  was  nearing  the  end  of  life;  he 
was  never  free  from  pain ;  his  ills  were  many.  Therefore 
in  Board  meetings — when  he  was  able  to  attend  them — 
and  doubtless  also  in  conversation  with  the  northern  men 


132  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

themselves,  he  spoke  just  as  vehemently  as  he  wrote  in  his 
private  letters. 

In  September  the  Board  called  to  the  presidency  Rev. 
Daniel  Read,  of  St.  Louis,  who  accepted  the  appointment, 
and  entered  at  once  upon  the  duties  of  his  office. 

The  early  days  of  struggle  had  been  followed  by  storms 
and  strife.  The  weary  labors  of  the  pioneers  were  vastly 
more  noble  and  infinitely  more  to  be  desired  than  the  bit- 
terness and  heartburnings  of  the  years  from  '50  to  '56. 
In  quick  succession  came  the  rumors  of  disloyalty  to  the 
denomination ;  the  charge  of  incompetency  within  the 
ranks  of  the  faculty ;  the  personal  recriminations  and  dis- 
putes of  men  and  brethren  in  the  Board ;  the  unpopu- 
larity of  the.  president  of  the  College  with  the  students 
and  the  general  public ;  the  differences  between  the  presi- 
dent and  his  professors ;  the  anti-Bible-Union  crusade ;  and 
the  ardent  attempt  in  certain  quarters  to  secure  the 
abandonment  of  the  school  at  Upper  Alton  for  a  larger 
and  grander  institution  at  Chicago.  Among  the  events 
which  show  the  singular  inconsistencies  of  human  nature 
may  be  mentioned  the  action  of  the  zealous  "defenders 
of  the  faith,"  who  secured  the  resignation  of  the  profes- 
sors on  theological  grounds,  and  then  insisted  upon  the 
election  of  an  Episcopal  clergyman  as  acting  president  of 
the  school.  Among  the  pleasant  things  to  remember  is 
the  fidelity  with  which  that  clergyman  performed  the 
perplexing  duties  of  his  office.  Indeed,  at  the  very  time 
when  an  ex-professor  and  a  good  Baptist  was  instituting 
a  lawsuit  against  .the  College,  this  broad-minded  and 
large-hearted  priest  of  the  Anglican  faith  was  serving 
that  College  without  fee  or  reward,  and  fitting  it  to  ac- 
complish a  larger  mission  for  the  Baptist  people  of  the 
West. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  DANIEL  READ,   1856-1865. 

A  strong  staff  of  teachers — Dr.  Peck's  last  Board  meeting — The  adventures  of 
Horace  Pierce — Mr.  Field  as  agent — Dr.  Steenstra's  tribute — The  religious 
life — The  war  and  its  demands — Enlargement:  spiritual  and  scholastic — Plan- 
ning amid  perils — An  urgent  appeal — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gove  come  to  the  rescue 
— Their  noble  gift. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  after 
the  election  of  Dr.  Read  was  the  appointment  of  Prof. 
Warren  Leverett  as  principal  of  the  Preparatory  Depart- 
ment.. The  salaries  of  the  professors  were  advanced 
from  eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  dollars,  and  the 
salary  of  the  president  was  fixed  at  fifteen  hundred 
dollars.  The  faculty  as  reorganized  consisted  of  Messrs. 
Read,  Howes,  Castle,  Marsh,  and  Washington  and 
Warren  Leverett.  These  six  men  held  their  respec- 
tive positions  and  carried  all  the  work  of  the  College  and 
the  preparatory  school  for  nine  years ;  and-  for  three  fur- 
ther years  they  continued  to  serve  as  active  members  of 
the  faculty,  although  other  teachers  were  added  to  the 
staff.  In  sympathetic  co-operation  they  wrought  in  the 
interests  of  Shurtleff.  During  the  dark  and  troublous 
days  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion  they  stood  at  their  post, 
though  the  Institution  was  threatened  with  ruin,  and 
colleges  in  all  sections  of  the  country  were  closing  their 
doors. 

These  men — save  the  Leveretts — had  recently  come  to 
the  work;  but  the  new  friends  were  not  less  loyal  than 

133 


134  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

the  old.  Dr.  McMasters,  the  president  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  being  absent  from  the  session  at  which  Dr. 
Read  was  called  to  the  headship  of  the  College,  his  place 
was  filled  temporarily  by  Dr.  Peck,  who  on  that  occa- 
sion paid  his  farewell  visit  to  the  school  whose  welfare, 
in  its  varying  fortunes,  he  had  borne  upon  his  heart 
through  all  the  years.  In  stating  the  motion  and  declaring 
the  vote  which  authorized  the  committee  on  the  presidency 
to  inform  Dr.  Read  of  his  election,  he  performed  his 
last  public  duty  as  an  official  of  the  College,  although 
he  remained  a  member  of  the  Board,  and  took  an  eager 
interest  in  its  plans  and  work  until  his  death,  eighteen 
months  later.1  Soon  after  the  beginning  of  Dr.  Read's 
administration  he  addressed  the  Board  with  the  request 
that  the  new  president  be  permitted  to  visit  him  in  his 
home  at  Rock  Spring  for  the  purpose  of  selecting,  arrang- 
ing and  estimating  the  value  of  certain  books  which  he 
intended  donating  to  the  College  library.  His  request 
was  readily  granted,  and  as  a  result  the  College  received 
at  his  death  four  hundred  and  eighty-two  volumes,  a 
most  valuable  addition  to  its  collection  of  theological 
works.  As  the  months  went  by  his  strength  gradually 
declined,  and  in  December  he  closed  a  business  letter  to 
Mr.  H.  N.  Kendall,  the  treasurer  of  the  College,  with 

1 A  singular  confusion  of  dates  and  events  in  the  closing  days  of  the  life  of  Dr. 
Peck  appears  in  the  pages  of  Dr.  Babcock's  biographical  volume.  According  to 
that  account  the  history  of  two  years  is  compressed  into  one.  The  biographer 
states  that  "near  the  end  of  June  he  was  once  more  able  to  attend  the  commence- 
ment at  Alton,  and  took  an  important  part  in  the  deliberations  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  College,"  and  makes  this  visit,  with  a  trip  to  Galena  and  Chicago, 
the  events  of  the  summer  and  autumn  preceding  his  demise.  It  is  true  that  these 
were  amongst  the  closing  passages  of  his  active  life  ;  but  he  lived  for  more  than  a 
year  beyond  this  time,  suffering  great  weariness  of  body,  but  strong  and  patient  in 
spirit  until  the  end.  The  last  entries  in  his  journal,  quoted  by  Dr.  Babcock,  are 
attributed  erroneously  to  the  year  1857.  They  were  written  in  1856. 


PRESIDENT    DANIEL    READ. 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  135 

the  words,  "My  health  is  gone  forever.  I  am  worn  out." 
These  phrases  indicate  a  feeble  body  weary  of  its  bur- 
dens, yet  the  tone  of  the  letter  itself  is  sturdy  and  virile, 
its  expression  clear,  its  purpose  definite.  In  the  last 
days  of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  preparing  a  defense 
of  the  College  against  certain  charges  which  had  been 
circulated  to  its  grave  detriment  by  those  who  had  been 
its  professed  friends.  Concerning  this  document  he 
writes,  five  weeks  before  his  death: 

Rock  Spring,  O'Fallon  Depot  P.  O.,  111.,  Feb.  5,  1858. 
H.  N.  Kendall,  Esq.  Dear  Sir — By  request  of  H.  Pieree, 
Esq.,  I  sent  to  him,  care  of  Doctor  E.  Marsh,  a  package 
of  manuscripts — extracts  from  my  own  journals  and 
comments  thereon — all  pertaining  to  the  course  pursued 
by  the  northern  folks,  in  their  "pledges"  and  "promises," 
about  the  College  and  other  collateral  subjects.  I  wrote 
and  sent  them  by  Mr.  Pierce's  request,  understanding 
from  him  that  some  of  the  trustees,  probably  Hon.  Cyrus 
Edwards,  was  about  preparing  a  document  to  correct 
various  statements  made  by  Messrs.  Burroughs,  Olcott 
and  others,  to  the  damage  of  our  College. 

Not  knowing  what  particulars  might  be  wanted  I  pre- 
pared, of  extracts  and  comments  thereon,  about  32  cap. 
pages  that  the  compiler  might  use  only  such  as  he,  or 
the  trustees,  might  deem  necessary.  In  the  "Watchman" 
of  yesterday  I  see  the  notice  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee that  Mr.  Pierce  is  no  longer  College  agent !  I  know 
nothing  of  the  circumstances  that  produced  this  disso- 
lution, but  it  is  evident  he  has  no  use  for  my  manuscripts. 
They  were  not  intended  for  publication,  only  such  parts 
as  a  judicious  compiler  might  use.  I  suppose  Mr.  Pierce 
is  a  man  of  honor,  and  will  make  no  use  of  the  docu- 
ment either  publicly  or  privately.  But  the  papers  ought 
not  to  be  where  any  short-sighted  person  can  get  access 


136  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

to  them  and  use  them  to  the  damage  of  the  College,  or 
to  my  injury.  The  package  was  sent  (Jan.  19)  "care 
of  Doctor  E.  Marsh"  with  the  name  of  Mr.  Pierce  on 
it.  I  have  written  Doctor  M.  if  it  is  still  in  his  hands 
to  keep  it  to  my  order. 

I  am  entirely  ignorant  of  the  present  condition  of 
the  agency  affairs  of  the  College.  The  notice,  in  the 
form  given  in  the  "Watchman"  looks  as  though  the  agent 
and  the  Committee  were  "at  odds." 

Did  Mr.  Pierce  furnish  you  with  a  copy  of  the  printed 
report  on  finances  of  1850?  Yours  respectfully, 

J.  M.  PECK. 

This  letter  of  Dr.  Peck  indirectly  introduces  one  of 
the  most  serious  problems  in  the  history  of  the  smaller 
college — that  of  financial  agents  and  financial  agencies. 
But  in  the  entire  realm  of  college  agency  work  the  his- 
tory of  Mr.  Horace  Pierce,  to  whom  Dr.  Peck  refers, 
is  probably  unique.  It  is  certainly  interesting.  Rev. 
B.  B.  Hamilton  had  been  appointed  agent  of  the  Col- 
lege in  1857,  and  had  bravely  held  the  fort  through 
the  dark  days  of  "the  panic."  He  probably  rendered  a 
larger  service  than  any  other  man  could  have  rendered 
at  that  time,  for  he  combined  the  rare  traits  of  a  cul- 
tured mind  and  great  practical  energy;  yet  he  wrote 
that  he  had  determined  to  resign,  for,  said  he,  "I  can 
earn  money  and  endow  the  College  faster  with  my  own 
labor  than  I  can  make  it  up  on  the  field."  This  view 
of  the  situation  strikingly  accords  with  the  opinion  of 
Dr.  Peck,  expressed  in  his  blunt  fashion  several  years 
before,  when  in  the  course  of  a  letter  to  Mr.  Tolman 
he  asserted  that  "preaching  agents  have  cost  the  Board 
from  44  to  60  per  cent  on  all  their  collections.  Who  will 
give  the  College  $100.00  when  he  knows  that  one  half 
of  it  goes  into  the  agent's  pocket?  .  .  .  Do  not 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  137 

think  it  strange  that  I  do  not  go  for  such  a  preposter- 
ous mode  of  doing  business." 

It  were  surely  wiser,  though,  to  appoint  a  worthy 
minister  with  good  intentions  and  limited  financial  abil- 
ity than  a  layman  with  excellent  business  qualifications 
and  questionable  character.  Soon  after  the  election  of 
President  Read  the  Board  contracted  with  Horace  Pierce, 
Esq.,  of  New  York,  for  agency  service  in  the  state  of 
Illinois,  and  guaranteed  him  a  salary  of  fifteen  hundred 
dollars  a  year  and  all  travelling  expenses,  on  condition 
that  he  wrould  endeavor  to  collect  old  notes,  provide  addi- 
tional endowments  and  obtain  ten  thousand  dollars  for 
the  repair  of  the  College  buildings  and  other  improve- 
ments. Within  six  months  after  this  agreement  was 
made  Mr.  Pierce  was  summarily  dismissed  and  notice  of 
the  fact  was  sent  to  the  religious  papers.  It  appeared 
that  the  agent  of  the  College  had  lost  his  watch  in  con- 
sequence of  a  bet  which  he  had  made  on  board  of  the 
steamer  Martha  Jewett,  that  he  had  written  an  anony- 
mous letter  to  Dr.  Read  in  which  he  magnified  his  own 
importance  as  an  agent  and  collector,  and  that  he  had 
repeatedly  and  wantonly  disobeyed  the  instructions  of 
the  Board.  When  the  question  of  a  financial  settlement 
between  the  two  parties  was  broached  there  was  natu- 
rally a  wide  divergence  of  opinion.  In  fruitless  discus- 
sion of.  the  points  at  issue  a  year  and  a  half  slipped 
swiftly  by.  Misunderstandings  multiplied  and  intensi- 
fied, until  at  last  the  matter  was  submitted  to  a  board 
of  arbitration,  consisting  of  three  St.  Louis  lawyers.  By 
the  decision  of  this  board  the  College  was  obliged  to 
pay  to  Mr.  Pierce,  not  only  the  full  amount  of  salary 
for  one  year,  but  interest  at  six  per  cent  on  the  same 
from  the  expiration  of  the  year  of  service  during  which 
the  agent  had  not  served,  until  the  date  of  the  meeting 


138  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

of  the  arbitrators.  Further,  the  College  was  required 
to  pay  ten  per  cent  interest  from  the  latter  date  until 
the  whole  amount  should  be  paid.  Still  further,  all  costs 
attending  the  arbitration  were  to  be  met  by  the  College. 
On  the  other  hand  the  arbitrators  agreed  that,  for  the 
scandal  which  his  conduct  had  brought  upon  the  institu- 
tion, Mr.  Pierce  should  not  be  reimbursed  for  time,  trou- 
ble and  money  which  he  had  expended  in  attempts  to 
collect  the  amount  of  his  claim  from  the  trustees !  It 
might  be  unfair  to  suggest  that  bribery  and  corruption 
played  a  possible  part  in  the  startling  verdict  of  the 
board  of  arbitration,  but  there  seems  to  be  a  sad  lack 
of  even-handed  justice  in  the  deliverances  of  these  able 
and  equitable  attorneys. 

Mr.  Pierce's  successor  in  the  agency  work  was  Rev. 
H.  L.  Field,  a  recent  graduate  of  Shurtleff  and  a  young 
man  of  excellent  promise.  He  wrote,  soon  after  his  can- 
vassing had  begun,  that  there  was  sympathy  without 
subscriptions.  The  people  were  strongly  favorable  to 
the  school,  but  in  the  central  part  of  the  state  money 
was  hard  to  get  and  everywhere  he  was  greeted  with 
such  remarks  as,  "Well,  Brother  Field,  so  far  as  Central 
Illinois  is  concerned,  you  might  as  well  hang  up  the 
fiddle."  In  the  north  it  was  "worse  and  worse."  The 
crops  for  two  years  had  been  nearly  a  total  failure,  and 
all  classes — farmers,  merchants,  tradesmen,  and  preach- 
ers— had  only  the  same  sad  tale  to  tell.  The  agent  could 
not  even  collect  the  interest  on  notes  previously  given. 
In  the  two  following  years  the  conditions  were  better 
and  the  outlook  brighter.  Collections  were  made  more 
readily,  although  new  subscriptions  were  difficult  to 
obtain.  Then  the  war  days  drew  on,  the  College  agency 
was  abandoned,  hopeful  hearts  grew  heavy,  and  dark- 
ness was  over  all  the  land. 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  139 

Of  the  work  of  the  faculty  during  these  early  years 
of  President  Read's  administration  too  much  can  hardly 
be  spoken  in  way  of  eulogy.  Dr.  Peter  H.  Steenstra,  the 
professor  of  Old  Testament  Exegesis  in  the  Episcopal 
Divinity  School  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  a  graduate 
of  Shurtleff  in  the  class  of  1858,  writes  graphically  of 
this  period  in  the  following  words.  "If  I  were  to  say 
that  it  was  a  small  college,  located  in  a  small  village, 
and  working  through  its  day  of  small  things,  I  should 
tell  truth,  but  leave  the  larger  truth  untold.  The  College 
was  small;  its  classes  were  small  and  usually  grew 
smaller  as  the  course  proceeded ;  the  faculty  was  small 
and  overworked ;  and  the  curriculum  was  limited.  Pres- 
ident Read,  the  students'  friend  and  brother — mine  at 
all  events — taught  philosophy,  ethics,  political  economy 
and  'evidences.'  Prof.  Howes  struggled  single  handed 
with  the  classical  languages  and  literatures.  Prof.  Castle 
represented  logic,  rhetoric,  and  'belles  lettres.'  Prof. 
Washington  Leverett  carried  the  men  through  a  rather 
unusually  full  course  of  mathematics,  pure  and  applied, 
and  yet  was  always  ready  to  teach  anybody  anything 
he  wished  to  learn.  Prof.  Warren  Leverett  had  charge 
of  the  'Academic  Department,'  which  embraced  more 
than  half  the  number  of  students  assembled  in  Upper 
Alton.  The  field  of  natural  sciences,  since  then  grown 
so  vast  and  varied,  was  represented  by  one  teacher,  who 
in  my  time  was  not  on  duty.  Modern  languages  and  lit- 
eratures found  no  place  at  all  in  the  course  of  study. 
Neither  did  history,  except  incidentally.  The  course  was 
decidedly  circumscribed.  But  so  it  was  everywhere,  not 
excepting  the  largest  of  our  'universities,'  not  one  of 
which  at  that  time  was  fairly  entitled  to  that  name. 
The  one  point  where  Shurtleff  was  incontestably  infe- 
rior was  the  library,  so  named,  I  verily  think,  on  the 


140  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

principle  of  Incus  a  non  lucendo.  Dr.  John  M.  Peck 
promised  us  his  considerable  collection  of  books.  And 
I  well  remember  the  pleasure  with  which  I  set  off  one 
morning  to  help  him  get  it  ready  for  boxing.  I  passed 
a  most  instructive  day.  Every  volume  handled  called 
forth  a  lecture,  now  on  the  use  of  books,  now  on  some 
theological  topic,  on  this  or  that  author,  on  incidents 
in  the  early  history  of  evangelization  in  the  West,  on 
every  conceivable  subject.  The  next  morning  the  sturdy 
old  pioneer  was  unable  to  leave  his  bed  and  I  went  back 
to  College,  not  altogether  sorry  to  escape  further  service. 
The  books  I  believe  came,  but  not  in  my  day,  nor  until 
after  the  donor's  decease. 

"But  to  return  to  my  subject.  Shurtleff,  in  the  '503, 
was  still  in  her  day  of  small  things.  Nevertheless  the 
College  offered  abundant  opportunity  for  mental  train- 
ing and  development,  i.  e.,  for  education  in  the  true  sense 
of  the  word.  The  teaching  chairs  were  not  occupied 
by  tutors  and  instructors  just  graduated  and  appointed 
for  one  year  or  five,  who,  however  able  to  teach  what 
they  knew,  lacked  maturity  and  wisdom  to  educate.  The 
faculty  were  tried  and  wise  as  well  as  able  men;  and 
the  student  came  into  very  close  contact  with  them.  And 
though  the  College  did  not  openly  offer  'electives,'  sym- 
pathy, instruction,  and  direction  were  not  wanting  for 
those  who  gave  themselves  largely  to  extra-curriculum 
studies,  especially  if  they  were  theological.  It  was  in 
that  way  that  I  myself  termed  my  junior  and  senior 
years  theological  seminary  rather  than  college  years.  I 
doubt  whether  I  passed  one-half  of  Prof.  Leverett's 
examinations  in  mathematics,  for  which  I  had  no  great 
liking;  but  the  Hebrew  he  taught  me,  gratuitously  and 
unofficially,  was  tacitly  accepted  as  an  equivalent.  The 
College  system  was  administered  on  the  principle  that 


PROFESSOR   PETER    H.   STEENSTRA. 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  14* 

it  was  made  for  the  student,  not  the  student  for  the 
system.  It  had  the  elasticity  of  life,  with  just  enough 
of  restraint  to  prevent  waste  of  time  and  energy. 

"Moreover  the  college  was  Upper  Alton  rather  than 
in  Upper  Alton.  The  village  was  small  but  it  had  in 
it  a  good  deal  of  unassuming  scholarship  and  social 
refinement,  all  of  which  was  unconsciously  at  work  in 
training  and  shaping  the  often  rather  rude  student  body 
that  formed  its  center.  The  names  of  several  gracious 
gentlewomen  might  be  written,  who  were  as  effectively 
part  of  the  faculty  as  the  professors  whom  the  students 
met  in  the  lecture-rooms.  There  were  also  a  number  of 
professional  and  business  men  whom  the  local  conditions 
unavoidably  converted  into  members  of  the  College  corps. 
Prominent  among  them,  so  far  as  I  was  personally  con- 
cerned, were  two  whom  I  must  name.  One  was  the 
truly  Reverend  Hubbell  Loomis.  He  was  well  stricken 
in  years;  but  his  enthusiasm  for  scholarship  was  ever 
glowing  and  ready  to  embrace  any  young  man  in  whom 
he  thought  he  found  the  spirit  of  inquiry.  I  shall  never 
forget  how  one  summer  day,  when  I  was  passing  his 
house,  he  called  me  in  and  said,  'I  hear  you  are  inter- 
ested in  New  Testament  textual  criticism.'  After  a  long 
talk  he  sent  me  away,  stimulated  and  determined,  with 
a  book  or  two  to  help  me.  The  other  was  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Barnes,  pastor  of  the  Upper  Alton  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  captivated  me  by  his  doctrinal  preaching.  He  had 
only  a  small  congregation;  but  such  sermons,  on  such 
themes,  *so  clearly  reasoned  and  so  intensely  expressed. 
I  have  seldom  heard.  Many  of  them  I  talked  over  with 
him  on  week  days,  while  he  stood  leaning  on  his  spade 
or  hoe — for  he  had  a  great  love  for  the  'mother  earth' 
of  his  kitchen  garden. 

"Nor  was  the  student  body  itself  an  insignificant  ele- 


H2  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ment  of  the  educating  force.  Take  them  altogether  they 
were  a  body  of  earnest,  vigorous,  manly  young  men.  Col- 
lected in  a  place  where  the  civil  power  was  scarcely  rep- 
resented, subjected  to  hardly  any  other  than  moral 
restraint,  they  almost  insensibly  learned  self-government. 
'College  pranks'  were  rare — never  to  my  knowledge  seri- 
ously harmful.  The  Alpha  Zeta  literary  society  was 
a  most  valuable  instrument  of  culture. 

"I  cannot  think  of  Upper  Alton  and  its  quiet  natural 
beauties  without  wishing  'long  life  to  the  country  col- 
lege.' Present  tendencies  are  all  in  favor  of  large  uni- 
versity establishments  in  great  centers  of  population. 
And  for  many  very  important  purposes  these  are  highly 
desirable.  But  for  the  average  run  of  undergraduate 
students  the  great  universities  offer  no  real  advantages 
over  the  smaller  colleges,  provided  the  latter  are  prop- 
erly equipped  for  their  work.  The  country  college  is  far 
more  likely  to  send  forth  its  men  into  rural  life,  and  by 
their  means  bring  the  bone  and  isinew  of  the  nation  into 
closer  contact  with  the  highest  intellectual  and  moral  life 
of  the  world.  Rural  existence  unquestionably  needs  to 
be  vitalized,  varied,  and  lifted  above  the  dull  plane  of 
mere  living  to  work  and  working  to  live ;  but  this  can 
never  be  done  without  the  constant  influx  and  distribu- 
tion of  persons  in  touch  with  the  world's  broadest  life, 
and  yet  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  essential  conditions 
of  life  in  the  country.  In  a  word,  the  country  college 
has  now,  in  my  opinion,  the  additional  mission  of  coun- 
teracting the  cityward  flo\v  of  masses  of  people  who  do 
not  benefit  the  town,  but  bereave  the  country,  and  too 
often  lose  themselves." 

At  the  beginning  of  the  academic  year  1861-62,  the 
affairs  of  the  College  were  moving  forward  with  unex- 
ampled harmony  and  success.  The  president  had  won 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  143 

for  himself  the  warm  and  devoted  affection  of  the  stu- 
dents, and  the  cordial  co-operation  of  his  colleagues  on 
the  staff  of  instruction.  His  unworldly  spirit  com- 
manded the  respect  of  the  entire  College  community. 
Seasons  of  spiritual  power  had  been  experienced  and 
many  of  the  young  men  had  been  brought  into  fel- 
lowship with  Jesus  Christ.  A  daily  prayer-meeting 
was  established  and  conducted  by  the  students  under  the 
auspices  of  the  students.  Year  after  year  for  five  and 
thirty  years,  as  successive  generations  of  students  have 
come  and  gone,  this  service  of  prayer  and  praise  has 
marked  the  beginning  of  each  day's  activities  for  the 
Christian  students,  and  it  has  proved  to  be  a  most 
important  feature  in  the  religious  life  of  the  school. 

The  moral  tone  was  also  sweet  and  pure.  By  the 
suggestion  of  President  Read,  and  through  the  agency 
of  Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards,  an  amendment  to  the  College 
charter  had  been  secured  in  the  previous  year  from 
the  general  assembly  of  the  state.  This  amendment  pro- 
vided that  no  gambling  establishment,  no  liquor  or  beer 
saloon,  and  no  house  of  ill-fame,  should  be  allowed  within 
the  distance  of  one  mile  from  the  college  buildings.  This 
withdrawal  of  the  source  of  temptation  had  freed  the  at- 
mosphere from  danger  of  moral  pollution  for  all  time  to 
follow.  On  account  of  this  and  other  wise  measures  the 
confidence  of  the  people  had  waxed  strong  and  they  had 
come  to  look  to  Shurtleff  with  pride  and  veneration. 

The  number  of  students  in  the  four  undergraduate 
classes  reached  a  total  of  forty-two  during  the  year, 
and  nearly  all  of  these  were  pursuing  a  full  classical 
course.  In  spite  of  the  scourge  and  terror  of  the 
war,  which  held  the  whole  land  in  its  deadly  grip 
and  threatened  and  crippled  all  enterprises,  Dr.  Read 
held  together  the  school  and  its  work  and  guided 


144  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

all  affairs  and  interests  in  the  way  of  power.  Before 
the  year  was  over  symptoms  of  uneasiness  had  deepened 
into  dark  forebodings  and  actual  danger.  The  issue  of  the 
conflict  was  extremely  uncertain.  North  and  South  were 
alike  conscientious  and  alike  determined.  Already  one 
hundred  thousand  soldiers  had  fallen  on  the  field  of  blood. 
These  heroes  were  the  hope  of  the  nation  and  the  flower  of 
her  youth.  Several  of  the  students  had  volunteered  for 
service  in  the  army;  and  the  ranks  of  the  classes  were 
thinned  and  depleted.  The  enrollment  fell  in  the  following 
year  to  eighty-seven,  the  smallest  since  1847.  Even  this 
number  was  soon  lessened.  Twelve  out  of  the  thirty- 
four  college  students  joined  the  army,  while  eight  of 
the  members  of  the  preparatory  school  responded  also 
to  the  call.  Many  others,  stirred  by  a  spirit  of  high 
purpose,  went  in  later  months  to  the  field  of  conflict, 
and  the  starred  names  in  the  annual  catalogues 
speak  in  silent  eloquence  of  the  brave  college  boys  who 
sleep  in  patriots'  graves,  far  from  the  happy  shades  of 
dear  old  Shurtleff.  Six  of  the  members  of  the  class 
of  1867,  who  had  shared  together  the  toils  and  victories 
of  student  life,  left  college  before  the  completion  of  the 
freshman  year,  that  they  might  join  the  struggle  which 
brought  victory  at  so  terrible  a  cost.  Ere  long  the  sad 
news  came  that  three  of  the  six,  Charles  Ives,  Harlow 
Street  and  David  Wear,  had  met  death  for  their  common 
country. 

In  all,  nearly  two  hundred  of  Shurtleff's  students,  in- 
cluding those  who  were  formerly  members  of  the  Institu- 
tion, took  up  arms  in  defense  of  the  Union.  Among  these 
were  Major-General  Palmer,  Major-General  Pope,  Brevet 
Brigadier-General  Brown,  Brigadier-General  John  Cook, 
Col.  John  E.  Moore,  Col.  A.  F.  Rodgers,  Col.  John  P. 
Baker,  Major  Wm.  Vandevere,  Major  Bailhache,  Major 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  145 

Franklin  Moore,  Major  Joseph  S.  Smith,  Major  Henry 
L.  Field,  Captain  H.  S.  Spaulding,  Captain  John  Trible, 
Captain  E.  D.  Keirsey,  Captain  Calvin  A.  Pease,  Cap- 
tain Francis  W.  Fox,  Captain  William  R.  Wright,  and 
Captain  George  E.  Clayton.  Throughout  the  entire  pro- 
gress of  the  war  the  faculty  and  students  seem  to  have 
been  a  unit  in  their  support  of  the  Northern  armies, 
though  the  Southland  was  so  near. 

In  spite  of  the  depressing  and  unsettled  conditions  which 
prevailed  on  every  hand  the  College  opened  its  doors  in  the 
autumn  of  1863  with  an  enrollment  larger  than  any  in  its 
previous  history — one  hundred  and  forty-six.  There  were 
fifty-five  in  the  college  classes  alone.  Thirty-eight  of  the 
students  were  planning  to  enter  the  Christian  ministry. 
A  theological  department  had  been  established,  and  a 
dozen  young  men  had  enrolled  themselves  therein.  The 
truth  of  the  Savior's  Evangel  wrought  mightily  among 
the  students,  and  of  the  entire  student  body  only  twelve 
proved  persistently  careless  or  stubborn  in  their  resist- 
ance to  the  appeals  of  their  friends  and  the  invitations 
of  the  blessed  gospel.  An  effectual  work  of  grace  had 
brought  a  score  of  the  unconverted  members  of  the  Insti- 
tution into  the  light  of  a  living  faith  in  Christ.  This 
was  not  a  novel  or  unprecedented  occurrence.  During 
almost  every  year  of  the  history  of  Shurtleff  some  stu- 
dents had  been  converted.  The  number  of  professing 
Christians  had  always  exceeded  that  of  the  thoughtless 
and  indifferent.  Many  characters  had  been  fixed,  many 
spirits  chastened  and  glorified,  and  many  lives  consecrated 
without  reserve  to  the  service  of  the  Most  High.  In 
six  at  least  of  the  earlier  years  the  school  had  witnessed 
similar  outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  thus  the- 
prayers  of  the  Fathers  and  the  labors  of  friends  andi 
supporters  had  received  the  seal  of  the  divine  favor. 


146  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

•Spiritually  and  intellectually  the  College  was  on  a 
high  plane.  Though  so  large  a  number  of  students 
obeyed  the  summons  to  the  field  of  battle,  the  indefati- 
gable efforts  of  the  president  sustained  the  interest  of 
the  people  throughout  the  state.  Franklin  College  in 
Indiana  and  William  Jewell  College  in  Missouri  had 
closed  their  doors;1  but  Shurtleff,  though  hard  driven, 
refrained  from  following  the  example  of  her  neighbors 
on  the  east  and  on  the  west. 

With  the  termination  of  the  academic  year  in  1864,  Dr. 
Read  completed  eight  years  of  faithful  work  in  the 
presidency.  The  average  attendance  during  these  years 
had  been  one  hundred  and  twelve.  About  one-third  of  the 
entire  number  enrolled  had  been  students  for  the  ministry. 
The  College  was  dismissed  at  the  close  of  the  year  without 
any  commencement  exercises.  All  the  members  of  the 
graduating  class,  with  a  large  number  of  the  under- 
graduates, had  enlisted  as  three  months'  volunteers,  at 
the  call  of  the  governor  of  Illinois.  In  September  the 
enrollment  had  fallen  to  one  hundred  and  nineteen,  and 
the  number  in  the  college  from  fifty-five  to  twenty-one. 
This  was  perhaps  the  gloomiest  year  of  all,  for  the  affairs 
of  the  nation  were  in  bondage,  and  the  issue  of  the  war 
was  extremely  uncertain.  During  this  single  year,  as  far 
as  can  be  ascertained,  one  hundred  and  forty  of  Shurtleff's 
students  and  ex-students  were  in  the  United  States  service. 

Within  the  school  there  was  perfect  harmony  and  a 
beautiful  spirit  regnant.  The  discipline  was  so  admirable 
that  not  a  single  severe  reprimand  was  administered  by 
the  faculty.  Though  the  income  from  tuition  fees  had 
decreased,  though  the  interest  on  the  productive  endow- 
ment was  difficult  of  collection  and  though  the  increase 

1See  Historical  sketches  of  Franklin,  and  William  Jewell  Colleges. 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  147 

of  financial  resources  seemed  well-nigh  impossible,  the 
trustees  at  this  time  advanced  the  salary  of  each  of  the 
professors  to  twelve  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  planned 
the  erection  of  a  new  and  spacious  college  edifice.   Work 
on  the  cellar  and  foundation  was  immediately  commenced 
and  by  the  close  of  the  school  year  an  expense  of  upward 
of  five  thousand  dollars  had  been  incurred  in  making  the 
excavation  and  building  the  seven  feet  of  foundation  wall. 
In  February,  1864,  the  Board  had  invited  Rev.  Z.  B. 
Lawson,  who  had  previously  acted  as  an  agent  of  the 
College,  to  enter  the. work  again,  in  order  to  secure  the 
amount  necessary  to  put  up  the  building,  and  any  addi- 
tional .endowments  which  he  might  be  able  to  obtain. 
In  reply  Mr.  Lawson  agreed  to  enter  upon  such  labor 
as  the  Board  desired,  on  th«  first  of  September,  on  con- 
dition that  the  trustees  should  procure  in  Madison  county 
and  in  St.  Louis  the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  prior 
to  that  date.     Mr.  Lawson  reasoned  that  if  this  amount 
could  not  be  raised  in  the  home  of  the  College  and  its  im- 
mediate vicinity,  it  would  be  a  waste  of  energy,  of  time 
and  of  money,  to  seek  for  help  throughout  the  state.    The 
condition  was  accepted  and  an  attempt  made  to  comply 
with  its  terms,  but  the  task  was  much  more  difficult  than 
had  been  supposed.     In  April  the  effort  was  abandoned, 
and  Mr.  Lawson  was  released  from  his  engagement.    As 
the  agent  of  the  theological  department,  recently  resusci- 
tated, Rev.  E.  C.  Mitchell  had  been  procuring  quite  a 
large  number  of  pledges  and  cash  subscriptions  toward 
the  endowment  of  a  chair  of  Biblical  Studies  and  Sacred 
Rhetoric.     But  these  subscriptions  would  not  pay  for  the 
cellar  which  had  been  dug  nor  the  building  which  was 
about  to  be  built.     An  earnest  and  mighty  appeal  must 
be  made  to  the  Baptists  of  Illinois!     With  this  end  in 
view  the  executive  committee  issued  on  the  fifth  of  Octo- 


148  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ber,  1864,  a  circular  which  contained  the  very  inspiring 
news  that  the  College  was  entirely  free  from  debt,  and 
had  an  endowment  fund  of  fifty-three  thousand  dollars. 
This  circular,  however,  apparently  ignored  the  building 
debts  which  had  already  been  contracted  and  the  arrear- 
ages of  salary  due  the  professors.  The  announcement 
was  also  made  that  the  Rev.  Harrison  K.  Daniels,  of 
New  York,  had  been  engaged  as  financial  agent,  and 
on  the  first  of  August  had  begun  to  solicit  new  sub- 
scriptions toward  a  further  endowment  of  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  to  complete  the  collections  of  funds  for 
the  erection  of  the  new  building,  while  Mr.  Lawson  had 
been  asked  to  secure  the  payment  of  notes  and  pledges 
already  made.  The  early  results  of  Mr.  Daniels'  work 
were  astounding,  for  in  less  than  nine  months  after  his 
appointment  he  had  accomplished  an  almost  unbelievable 
achievement  in  raising  twenty-eight  thousand  dollars  in 
subscriptions  for  the  erection  of  the  building. 

The  noteworthy  feature  of  the  canvass  was  the  receipt 
of  a  most  generous  donation  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elijah 
Gove,  of  Quincy.  Theirs  was  a  princely  gift  in  those  dark 
days,  as  it  was  also  the  largest  contribution  that  has  ever 
been  made  to  the  College  at  one  time.  It  came  unex- 
pectedly, but  was  not  on  that  account  any  the  less  joy- 
fully received.  Elijah  Gove  was  ShurtlefFs  greatest 
benefactor.  His  gifts  to  the  College,  together  with  those 
of  his  wife,  Renewa  Gove,  in  one  form  and  another,  at 
one  time  and  another,  amounted  to  fifty-nine  thousand 
two  hundred  and  eighty-five  dollars.  Soon  after  his  first 
conditional  gift  of  five  thousand  dollars,  Mr.  Gove  had  se- 
cured to  the  college  that  amount,  although  the  conditions 
which  he  specified  had  not  been  fulfilled.  Some  years  later 
he  added  a  second  five  thousand  dollars  and  the  two 
amounts  were  consolidated  as  the  foundation  of  the  "Gove 


ELIJAH     GOVE. 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  149 

Professorship  of  Latin  and  Greek  Languages  and  Litera- 
tures.'' During  Mr.  Daniels'  year  of  special  effort,  and 
through  the  agency  of  himself  and  Dr.  Bulkley,  then  pas- 
tor of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Upper  Alton  and  a  warm 
friend  of  Mr.  Gove,  that  gentleman  was  induced  to  open 
his  heart  again  and  contribute  to  the  cause  of  Christian 
education  yet  more  nobly  than  before.  The  visit  of  those 
two  men  to  Quincy  was  a  memorable  event  and  the 
story  of  it  runs  as  follows. 

Nearly  all  of  the  students  had  enlisted  in  the  army. 
The  classes  at  the  school  were  small.  The  receipts  from 
tuition  were  small.  The  income  from  invested  funds 
was  small.  But  the  expenses  of  living  were  higher  than 
ever  before.  So  all  salaries  had  of  necessity  been 
increased,  for  it  was  vitally  important  that  all  the  pro- 
fessors should  be  retained.  A  new  building  seemed  a 
desideratum.  The  old  buildings  were  in  a  sad  state  of 
disrepair.  Thus  all  along  the  line  the  financial  problem 
became  daily  a  deeper  perplexity.  These  were  the  con- 
ditions under  which  Mr.  Daniels  began  his  work.  Very 
soon  he  had  learned  of  the  gifts  which  had  previously 
been  made  by  Mr.  Gove.  It  occurred  to  him  that 
more  might  be  obtained  from  the  same  source.  So  he 
persuaded  Dr.  Bulkley  to  call  with  him  upon  Mr. 
Gove  in  order  to  present  the  state  of  affairs  to  his 
thoughtful  consideration  and  to  ask  him  to  add  five 
thousand  dollars  to  the  endowment  of  the  Chair  of 
Greek.  Accordingly  they  left  Alton  by  the  Missis- 
sippi river  boat  one  evening  and  reached  Quincy  the  next 
morning,  shortly  after  dawn.  On  their  way  through  the 
streets  of  the  town  they  met  Mr.  Gove  himself,  and  then 
and  there  laid  before  him  the  object  of  their  quest.  He 
cut  them  short  by  saying:  "Gentlemen,  I  am  too  busy 
to  give  you  audience  now,  but  if  you  can  interest  your- 
selves about  town  through  the  day  I  shall  be  pleased  to 


150  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

have  you  spend  the  night  at  my  house  and  we  will  talk 
things  over."  The  entire  evening  was  given  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  College  and  its  needs.  Mr.  Gove  made 
many  inquiries  but  few  comments.  At  bedtime  he  said : 
"You  have  called  upon  me  at  exactly  the  right  time. 
Had  you  come  to  Quincy  twenty-four  hours  earlier  I 
could  not  have  helped  you.  I  have  just  made  such 
changes  in  my  business  that  I  am  in  a  position  to  assist 
the  College  in  its  financial  embarrassment.  I  always 
consult  Mrs.  Gove  in  such  matters.  I  will  talk  with 
her  and  let  you  know  the  result  tomorrow."  Much 
encouraged  by  the  conversation  Dr.  Bulkley  declared 
to  his  friend,  when  they  both  had  retired  to  rest,  his 
confident  belief  that  a  donation  of  five  thousand  dollars 
would  be  the  outcome  of  their  trip. 

In  the  morning,  after  breakfast  and  family  worship, 
Mr.  Gove  sat  down  at  his  desk  and  bade  the  others  draw 
their  chairs  near  and  sit  beside  him.  Then  he  explained 
to  them  some  of  the  secrets  of  his  business  affairs  and 
methods.  He  showed  them  an  inventory  of  his  prop- 
erty, footing  up  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
dollars.  He  then  told  them,  in  a  simple  straightfor- 
ward way,  how  at  the  time  of  his  conversion  he 
had  consecrated  his  entire  life,  with  all  he  should 
be  and  have,  to  Jesus  Christ.  He  looked  upon  him- 
self as  a  steward,  under  obligation  to  use,  according 
as  the  Divine  will  should  direct,  all  the  money  that  God 
enabled  him  to  make.  He  resolved  that  he  would  give 
to  the  Lord's  cause  ten  per  cent  of  his  income  until  he 
reached  a  certain  figure,  that  .beyond  that  he  would 
increase  the  proportion  to  fifteen  per  cent,  then  to  twenty, 
and  so  on  until  he  should  be  worth  fifty  thousand  dollars. 
This  amount  he  would  look  upon  as  the  vanishing  point  of 
his  ability  to  control,  and  after  he  had  reached  it  he  would 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  I51 

give  away  all  of  his  income,  save  what  was  necessary 
for  the  maintenance  of  his  family. 

At  the  time  he  entered  into  this  covenant  he  had  a 
few  thousand  dollars  in  money  but  no  business.  He 
tried  to  get  into  business,  but  for  months  he  failed.  God 
seemed  to  hedge  up  his  way  on  every  side.  He  visited 
several  cities,  but  finally  returned  to  Quincy  disheart- 
ened, almost  distrusting  Providence.  One  day  while 
walking  the  street  in  Quincy,  he  met  Deacon  Pomeroy 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  who  asked  him  if  he  did 
not  wish  to  purchase  a  one-third  interest  in  the  "Eagle 
Mills"  in  Quincy,  which  could  be  obtained  for  six  thou- 
sand dollars.  The  purchase  would  make  him  a  partner 
and  he  could  be  employed  by  the  company  at  a  salary  to 
purchase  wheat,  etc.  He  thought  a  moment  and  was  im- 
pressed with  the  idea  that  his  opportunity  had  come.  He 
accepted  it.  That  investment  for  several  years  produced 
for  him  one  hundred  per  cent,  six  thousand  dollars  per 
year.  This  accumulation  was  large  for  those  days.  He 
soon  reached  his  fifty  thousand  dollars.  He  then  thought 
that  possibly  he  had  made  a  mistake  and  that  he  was  capa- 
ble of  controlling  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  After 
prayer  and  deliberation  he  increased  the  amount  to  that 
sum.  He  had  followed  this  plan  faithfully  throughout  the 
years,  and  by  so  doing  had  been  able  to  contribute  large 
sums  to  benevolent  enterprises. 

Reminding  his  guests  of  the  inventory  of  his  property 
values  which  they  had  just  seen,  Mr.  Gove  stated  that 
twenty  thousand  dollars  then  in  his  hands  must  be  devoted 
at  once  to  the  Lord's  cause,  and  that  he  and  Mrs.  Gove 
had  decided  to  dispose  of  it  that  morning.  As  he  and  his 
wife  had  begun  life  together  without  property  she  shared 
equally  with  him  the  possession  of  all  that  God  gave  to 
them.  After  this  very  promising  introduction  he  went 


152  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

on  to  say  that  he  had  decided  to  give  five  thousand  dollars 
to  the  Vermont  Street  Baptist  Church  in  Quincy,  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  and  the  remaining  five  thou- 
sand dollars  to  Shurtleff  College,  to  be  added  to  his 
previous  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  endowment 
of  the  Chair  of  Greek.  "Mrs.  Gove,"  he  said  further, 
"is  at  liberty  to  do  as  she  will  with  her  share."  Actu- 
ated doubtless  by  her  love  for  the  school  as  well  as  by 
her  husband's  example,  that  good  lady  made  some  search- 
ing inquiries  with  regard  »to  financial  conditions  and 
needs,  and  then  announced  her  intention  of  contributing 
five  thousand  dollars  for  the  painting  and  repair  of  the 
buildings.  The  remaining  five  thousand  dollars,  at  Dr. 
Bulkley's  suggestion,  she  decided  should  be  given  to  the 
College  for  investment,  with  the  proviso  that  the  interest 
should  be  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  books  for  the  theo- 
logical students.  Thus  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gove  by  their  happy 
habit  of  systematic  beneficence  surprised  their  guests  with 
a  donation  thrice  as  great  as  their  highest  hopes  had 
dared  to  suggest  to  them. 

While  these  good  people  were  consecrating  their  work 
and  their  wealth  to  the  cause  of  the  College  in  its  days 
of  uncertain  life,  many  students  of  the  earlier  and  later 
years  were  learning  stern  lessons  in  the  school  of  patriot- 
ism. Wars  and  rumors  of  wars  filled  the  land.  At  this 
time  Major  Field  with  great  personal  effort  and  con- 
siderable expense  secured  for  the  museum  a  large  collec- 
tion of  confederate  shells  and  solid  shot  from  Vicksburg, 
as  a  memorial  of  the  siege  and  capture  of  that  important 
stronghold.  This  collection  was  the  more  valuable  from 
the  fact  that  many  men  of  Illinois  had  fought  at  Vicks- 
burg and  had  exhibited  soldierly  daring  and  gallantry  in 
the  fight.  In  fitting  recognition  of  the  heroic  labors  of 
the  man  whom  Illinois  most  dearly  loved  to  honor,  the 
College  at  that  time  placed  a  large  oil-painting  of  Abra- 


REV.    FRAXK    M.    ELLIS,   D.   D. 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  153 

ham  Lincoln  in  its  assembly  hall.  It  was  the  work  of  a 
brilliant  man  and  talented  artist,  Mr.  Conant  of  St.  Louis. 
For  a  third  of  a  century,  as  they  have  assembled  day  by 
day  for  chapel  service  and  class  exercises,  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  Shurtleff  have  looked  into  the  face  of  the 
great  emancipator,  and  have  borrowed  help  and  inspira- 
tion from  the  view. 

During  the  war  period  and  the  years  immediately  pre- 
ceding, several  young  men  of  exceptional  promise  were 
attending  the  College.  We  may  cite  instances  from  three 
successive  classes.  Among  the  graduates  of  1856  were 
John  Pope  Baker  and  Nathaniel  Wilson.  Colonel  Baker 
fought  through  the  Civil  War  and  was  advanced  in  rank 
again  and  again  for  gallant  and  meritorious  service.  Dr. 
Wilson,  whose  home  for  nearly  thirty  years  has  been  in 
the  city  of  Washington,  was  for  a  lengthy  period  District 
Attorney  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  as  well  judge 
advocate  and  special  counsel  for  the  navy  department. 

To  the  class  of  1857  belonged  such  men  as  Professor 
George  B.  Dodge,  Dr.  J.  C.  Maple  and  Dr.  Frank  M.  Ellis. 
By  his  many  important  labors  in  the  east  and  in  the  west, 
by  his  success  in  prominent  pastorates  in  Chicago,  Balti- 
more and  Brooklyn,  and  by  his  strong  leadership  for  sev- 
eral years  of  the  great  church  which  worships  in  the  Tre- 
mont  Temple,  Boston,  Dr.  Ellis  won  a  place  of  command- 
ing influence. 

Two-  members  of  the  class  of  1858  have  gained  also 
a  worthy  distinction.  Mr.  Robert  B.  Smith  is  a  resident 
of  Chicago — a  man  of  great  wealth  and  connected  with 
large  business  interests.  Dr.  Peter  H.  Steenstra  of  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  is  well  known  as  a  teacher,  theologian, 
and  author.  Thus,  though  the  College  was  in  many  ways 
feeble,  and  the  classes  very  small,  the  proportion  of  vig- 
orous and  promising  students  was  encouragingly  large. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  DANIEL  READ,   1865-1870. 

A  corner-stone — Repairs — Financial  ups  and  downs — Agents  many — Almira  Col- 
lege— The  education  of  women — Signs  of  progress — A  resignation  and  a  pro- 
test— The  Leveretts'  withdrawal — The  "Band  of  Faith" — President  Read 
resigns — His  later  life. 

Though  the  war  excitement  had  prevented  the  cele- 
bration of  any  formal  anniversary  exercises  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1864,  the  glories  and  grandeur  of  the  succeeding 
commencement  season  were  sufficient  to  atone  for  a 
dozen  such  omissions.  The  corner  stone  of  the  new  Col- 
lege building  was  laid  with  due  and  elaborate  ceremonies. 
A  large  concourse  of  people  assembled  on  the  campus 
on  the  afternoon  of  Commencement  Day,  and  for  three 
hours  gave  interested  and  sympathetic  attention  to  the 
programme  of  exercises.  The  service  opened  with 
prayer  by  Rev.  Hubbel  Loomis,  whose  presence  on  that 
auspicious  occasion  brought  memories  of  the  Alton  Semi- 
nary of  three  and  thirty  years  before,  to  the  minds  of 
the  elder  generation.  Although  he  had  resigned  the 
principalship  of  the  Seminary  in  1836,  on  account  of  im- 
paired health  and  advancing  years,  he  was  still  hale  and 
sturdy  at  the  age  of  ninety. 

The  historical  address  was  delivered  by  Dr.  Bulkley, 
and  a  discourse,  on  "Christian  Colleges — their  Importance 
and  Promise"  by  President  Read.  Professor  E.  C. 
Mitchell  of  the  theological  department  then  deposited 

154 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  155 

a  number  of  documents,  historical  and  otherwise,  in  a 
metallic  box,  for  preservation  in  the  corner  stone,  and 
the  ceremony  of  laying  the  stone  was  performed  by  Mr. 
H.  N.  Kendall.  After  prayer  by  Dr.  Pattison,  the  pro- 
fessor of  systematic  theology  and  history  of  doctrine, 
an  original  hymn,  composed  by  Prof.  O.  L.  Castle,  was 
sung,  beginning, 

"O  Thou  that  makest  wars  to  cease ! 
Thou  God  of  Battles,  Prince  of  Peace; 
Our  peaceful  monument  we  raise, 
And  consecrate  it  to  Thy  praise." 

These  impressive  exercises  closed  with  the  benediction 
by  Dr.  Read. 

The  building  was  designed  to  be  much  larger,  more 
commodious,  and  more  in  harmony  with  the  architec- 
tural taste  of  the  time  than  the  dormitory — then  no 
longer  new.  It  was  to  be  one  hundred  and  eighty-five 
feet  in  length  and  eighty-one  feet  in  width.  It  was  to  be 
four  stories  in  height.  It  was  to  consist  of  two  wings, 
and  a  great  central  hall,  connecting  these,  and  suitable 
for  assembly  purposes.  It  was  to  be  constructed  of  Alton 
limestone,  as  fine  and  durable  a  material  as  could  be  found 
in  the  entire  Mississippi  valley. 

While  preparations  were  moving  rapidly  forward  for 
the  erection  of  the  new  College  edifice  the  older  building 
was  not  forgotten.  It  had  been  put  in  excellent  condi- 
tion within  and  without,  and  was  thought  to  present  a 
better  taste  and  finish  than  when  first  completed.  A  new 
roof  covered  it,  and  a  renewed  cupola  crowned  it.  The 
chimneys  had  been  retopped,  new  gutters  and  pipes  pro- 
vided, and  the  walls  adorned  with  three  coats  of  paint. 
Within,  the  woodwork  had  been  painted,  the  doors 
grained,  and  the  rooms  and  corridors  neatly  papered. 


156  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Nor  had  the  chapel  been  neglected.  This  structure  was 
as  staunch  as  when  it  was  built  in  the  pioneer  days.  It 
had  now  undergone  an  artistic  transformation,  having 
been  painted,  papered,  wainscoted,  seated,  and  thor- 
oughly refitted.  In  addition,  a  furnace  had  been  put  in 
the  basement. 

The  cost  of  these  repairs  and  improvements  was  up- 
ward of  five  thousand  dollars.  The  deficit  on  the  cur- 
rent expenses  of  the  College  for  the  year  was  two  thousand 
dollars.  These  two  amounts  combined  to  bring  to  bear 
upon  the  trustees  a  heavy  financial  pressure.  Besides,  the 
most  of  the  cash  subscriptions  to  the  new  buildi  ig  had 
been  used  in  digging  the  cellar  and  setting  the  founda- 
tion. The  trustees  determined  to  make  temporary  pro- 
vision for  the  payment  of  deficits  and  repairs  and  to  push 
forward  the  agency  work  as  rapidly  as  possible.  Accord- 
ingly Dr.  Bulkley  was  persuaded  to  enter  at  once  upon 
a  summer  canvass  for  the  building  fund,  and  Mr.  Daniels 
was  requested  to  concentrate  all  his  efforts  in  the  same 
direction.  President  Read,  Mr.  Edwards  and  Mr.  Ken- 
dall acted  meanwhile  as  volunteer  agents  without  com- 
pensation. In  December  there  had  been  received  from 
all  sources  nearly  ten  thousand  dollars  in  cash  for  the  new 
building  and  upward  of  twenty-three  thousand  in  uncol- 
lected  subscriptions. 

Taking  all  these  things  into  consideration,  the  condi- 
tion of  the  building  fund  was  encouraging,  and  there 
was  fair  promise  of  the  successful  completion  of  the 
undertaking  in  which  the  trustees  had  embarked.  But 
within  six  months  the  aspect  of  affairs  had  entirely 
changed.  The  country  was  in  the  throes  of  a  most  alarm- 
ing financial  crisis.  The  building  agency  was  discon- 
tinued. Major  Field  was  appointed  to  secure  endowment 
funds  at  a  salary  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  month  and 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  157 

travelling  expenses;  but  at  the  end  of  three  months  he 
was  obliged  to  confess  failure,  having  secured  not  a  cent 
of  cash,  and  only  one  new  note,  which  was  given  by  Levi 
Mitchell,  of  Gillespie,  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars. 
In  view  of  the  facts  the  agent  refused  to  accept 
any  remuneration  for  his  labors.  The  College 
had  run  behind  on  the  current  expense  account  for  the 
year  some  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  and  was 
obliged  to  issue  additional  obligations  to  its  friends  in 
order  to  meet  these  deficiencies.  No  work  had  been 
done  on  the  new  building,  and  the  cellar  foundation 
waited,  as  for  many  and  many  a  year  it  was  destined 
to  wait,  for  the  superstructure. 

Just  at  this  time  and  in  order  to  provide  needed 
room  for  increasing  necessities  a  two-story  addition 
to  the  chapel  was  built.  There  was  no  money  in  the  treas- 
ury, however,  to  pay  the  bills  incurred  in  this  new  under- 
taking, so  a  loan  of  two  thousand  dollars  was  nego- 
tiated, with  interest  at  ten  per  cent.  At  the 
same  time  Mr.  Daniels  was  instructed  to  devote  himself 
for  several  weeks  to  a  special  effort  to  secure  money 
for  this  object,  with  the  understanding  that  he  collect 
funds  already  pledged  to  the  new  building — never,  alas ! 
to  be  built — and  apply  the  same,  with  the  consent  of 
the  donors,  to  the  chapel  addition.  He  was  not  particularly 
successful  in  this  attempt,  and  soon  after  resigned.  A 
year  and  a  half  before  Mr.  Lawson,  who  knew  the 
field,  the  people,  and  the  demands  of  the  agency  service, 
had  uttered  prophetic  words.  In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Kendall 
he  had  asked,  "How  is  Brother  Daniels  succeeding?" 
and  "had  continued,  "I  fear  he  will  not  succeed  as  well 
as  he  anticipated.  The  fact  is  our  Western  folks  want 
a  different  kind  of  tact  or  method  of  approach  to  induce 
them  to  good  works  of  this  character  from  our  Eastern 


158  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

brethren.  A  Western  man  or  one  accustomed  to  West- 
ern habits,  like  Brother  French,  for  instance,  will  be 
more  likely  to  accomplish  the  object." 

The  very  man  whom  Mr.  Lawson  had  men- 
tioned, who  had  never  before  been  connected  in  any  way 
with  the  College,  was  now  appointed  agent.  Whether 
this  "western  man"  would  have  succeeded  better  than  his 
eastern  brother  the  fates  will  never  reveal,  for  he  declined 
to  serve,  and  thus  the  truth  of  the  prediction  in  this 
respect  was  never  put  to  the  test.  In  his  stead  Mr.  B.  H. 
Mills  was  elected,  and  instructed  by  the  Board  to  raise 
an  endowment  for  the  chair  of  systematic  theology,  while 
Mr.  Daniels  was  re-elected  and  continued  his  work  for 
the  general  endowment.  Both  of  the  agents  were  empow- 
ered to  sell  any  number  of  perpetual  scholarships  at 
one  thousand  dollars  each.  Their  work  during  1867 
was  wearisome  and  bore  little  fruit.  Besides  this, 
the  notes  and  pledges  secured  by  Dr.  Bulkley  in  and 
about  the  town  of  Greenville  were  returned  to  the 
original  subscribers  at  his  request.  The  sums  were 
pledged  by  various  residents  of  the  place  on  condition 
that  the  friends  of  Almira  College,  situated  at  Green- 
ville, might  be  allowed  to  make  a  similar  canvass  in  the 
interests  of  their  school  in  and  about  Upper  Alton.  After 
the  lapse  of  two  years,  when  the  question  was  presented 
to  the  executive  committee  of  the  College,  it  was  not 
thought  advisable  to  encourage  such  a  canvass,  and  so 
the  notes  were  returned  to  the  donors. 

Almira  College  was  an  institution  for  the  education 
of  young  ladies  and  had  been  in  successful  operation 
since  1858.  The  colleges  and  academies  founded  or 
planned  in  the  earlier  years  had  all  passed  into  oblivion. 
Shurtleff  alone  had  survived,  but  there  had  come  into 
being  other  schools  under  Baptist  auspices,  and  of  these 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  159 

the  Chicago  University  and  Almira  College  were  the  prin- 
cipal representatives  in  1867.  Both  of  them  afterward 
died.  Schools  for  the  education  of  young  ladies  had  also 
been  established  at  Warrenville  and  Mt.  Carroll,  but  they 
were  quite  feebly  sustained.  Rev.  John  B.  White,  the 
first  president  of  the  college  at  Greenville,  had  labored 
earnestly  to  bring  its  character  and  work  into  harmony 
with  the  highest  educational  ideals.  The  presence  of  so 
many  seminaries  of  learning  in  the  state  may  have  been 
a  suggestion  and  a  spur  to  a  newer  and  more  liberal 
policy  at  Shurtleff.  Certain  it  is  that  in  the  spring  of 
1867  Miss  Tolman  was  sent  by  the  executive  committee 
as  a  special  agent  to  Oberlin  College  to  examine  its  plans 
and  workings,  with  a  view  to  the  contemplated  opening 
of  the  doors  of  Shurtleff  to  women  on  an  equal  footing 
with  men.  It  is  probable  that  Oberlin  was  selected  as 
the  college  to  be  visited  on  account  of  its  having  been 
the  pioneer  in  co-educational  enterprise.  As  early  as 
1837  Oberlin  offered  to  women  the  full  advantages  of  her 
curriculum.  Four  young  ladies  took  immediate  advan- 
tage of  the  opportunity,  and  three  of  them  followed  the 
entire  course  and  graduated  in  1841.  The  expenses  of 
Miss  Tolman's  journey  were  defrayed  by  the  treasurer 
of  Shurtleff  out  of  College  funds.  The  visit  itself  caused 
little  comment  and  excited  little  interest,  yet  it  was  the 
beginning  of  an  agitation,  more  or  less  determined, 
which  ended  in  the  admission  of  young  women  to  full 
privileges  with  the  young  men. 

Long  before  the  advent  of  co-education,  however, 
serious  attention  was  paid  to  the  matter  of  the  culture 
and  training  of  young  women  by  interested  par- 
ties at  Upper  Alton.  Just  one  year  after  Miss 
Tolman's  trip  to  Oberlin  there  was  established  at 
Rural  Park,  almost  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the  College 


160  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

campus,  a  first-class  ladies'  seminary.  The  building 
which  was  utilized  for  the  new  school  was  the  beautiful 
mansion  of  H.  N.  Kendall,  the  treasurer  of  the  College. 
It  had  been  much  enlarged,  carefully  rearranged, 
lighted  with  gas,  and  furnished  with  all  the  modern 
conveniences.  Ample  accommodations  were  provided 
for  fifty  boarding  pupils  and  as  many  more  day  students. 
The  new  school  was  under  the  principalship  of  the  Rev. 
S.  Adams.  In  addition  to  a  staff  of  six  teachers, 
instruction  was  given  in  certain  branches  by  the  pro- 
fessors of  Shurtleff  College,  although  the  institution 
was  under  separate  management.  The  opening  was  most 
auspicious,  but  at  the  end  of  two  years  the  school  passed 
out  of  existence,  and  the  beautiful  Rural  Park,  with  its 
fifty  acres  of  richly  cultivated  land,  its  groves  of  oak 
and  willow,  its  attractive  walks  and  drives,  its  gardens 
and  vineyard,  was  advertised  for  sale.  It  was  an  ideal 
location  for  such  a  school,  but  through  lack  of  patronage 
the  doors  were  closed. 

During  the  year  which  preceded  the  establishment  of 
the  ladies'  seminary  the  College  had  enjoyed  great 
prosperity.  There  were  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  students.  The  theological  department  was 
in  a  thriving  condition.  In  addition  to  the  two 
College  literary  societies,  a  preparatory  society, 
the  Alpha  Sigma,  had  been  organized  with  a  member- 
ship of  about  fifty.  The  ministerial  students  founded 
during  the  year  a  theological  society.  Each  of  the  older 
societies  had  a  glee  club,  and  excellent  public  exhibitions 
were  given  by  the  students  of  these  rival  societies  every 
term.  A  college  journal,  the  "Qui  Vive,"  made  its  initial 
appearance  on  the  first  of  January,  1868,  and  continued 
thereafter  as  a  monthly  publication.  It  was  most  credit- 
able in  appearance  and  contents.  The  first  board  of 


DR.   READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  l6l 

editors  consisted  of  Messrs.  J.  H.  Wilderman  of  the 
senior  class,  C.  A.  Hobbs  and  W.  A.  Smith  of  the  junior 
class,  I.  D.  Foulon  of  the  sophomore  class,  and  B.  H. 
Evans  of  the  freshman  class,  together  with  Mr.  N.  L. 
Rigby,  Ph.  B.,  of  the  theological  department,  who  was 
graduate  editor. 

On  the  faculty  of  instruction  were  Dr.  Read,  Prof. 
Howes,  Prof.  Washington  Leverett,  Prof.  Castle,  Dr. 
Marsh,  Prof.  E.  C.  Mitchell,  Dr.  R.  E.  Pattison,  Prof. 
Warren  Leverett,  Dr.  Bulkley,  Dr.  Hodge,  Prof.  E.  A. 
Haight,  Mr.  L.  C.  Donaldson,  and  Rev.  O.  L.  Barler. 
•  Each  of  the  professors  received  a  salary  of  twelve  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars,  while  the  president  received 
two  thousand.  In  consequence,  the  College  found 
itself  with  a  deficit  of  six  thousand  dollars  at  the  close  of 
the  year.  Just  at  this  critical  time,  Dr.  Read  resigned  the 
presidency  to  accept  a  hearty  call  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  Baptist  Church  in  Bloomington.  He  was  urged  by 
the  trustees  to  reconsider  his  decision,  and  while  they 
with  the  faculty  were  engaged  in  the  discussion  of  the 
matter  they  received  word  that  the  students  had  pre- 
pared a  memorial  upon  the  subject  and  were  anxious 
to  submit  the  same  to  their  consideration.  They  there- 
fore adjourned  en  masse  to  the  chapel,  where  the  stu- 
dents were  assembled.  The  memorial  was  presented, 
received  by  the  Board  and  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
committee  which  had  been  appointed  to  confer  with  Dr. 
Read,  and  Mr.  James  M.  Stifler,  from  the  student  body, 
was  added  to  the  committee.  In  due  time  the  committee 
reported  to  the  Board  that  Dr.  Read  had  not  withdrawn 
his  resignation,  but  that  in  their  opinion  such  a  with- 
drawal was  possible,  provided  that  certain  financial' 
affairs  could  be  adjusted.  Just  at  this  juncture  a  tele- 
gram arrived  from  Elijah  Gove,  saying  that  if  the  trus- 


162  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

tees  would  allow  him  to  use  the  funds  which  he  expected 
to  furnish  and  had  already  promised  to  the  College  he 
would  see  Dr.  Read's  salary  paid  promptly  during-  the 
ensuing  five  years,  if  he  should  live.  He  pledged  him- 
self also  to  do  as  much  more  as  he  possibly  could.  The 
trustees  agreed  willingly  to  the  terms  of  this  offer  and 
raised  the  president's  salary  to  two  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars.  This  was  a  goodly  stipend,  but  certainly  none 
too  much  for  so  strong  a  teacher,  so  inspiring  a  preacher, 
so  lovable  a  man  as  Dr.  Read.1 

Though  the  services  of  President  Read  were  thus 
retained  for  a  little  longer  the  College  lost  two , 
members  of  its  teaching  staff  who  had  done  yeoman's 
service  in  the  cause  of  Christian  education.  The  resig- 
nation of  the  brothers  Leverett  was  an  event  of  deep 
significance.  For  a  period  of  seventeen  years,  following 
his  arrival  at  Alton  in  1836,  Professor  Washington  Lev- 
erett had  directed  the  class  work  in  mathematics  and 
natural  philosophy;  and  again  from  1855,  for  a  period  of 
thirteen  years.  Professor  Warren  Leverett  had  served  for 
the  same  length  of  time,  save  that  he  came  to  the  work 
three  years  later  than  his  brother.  Their  retirement 
from  the  ranks  of  the  faculty  meant  the  severance  of  a 
tie  which  had  bound  the  old  Shurtleff  with  the  new,  the 
days  of  early  struggle  with  the  later  years  of  achievement 
and  progress. 

A  distinctly  new  feature  in  the  life  o'f  the  College 
was  inaugurated  in  the  autumn  of  1868.  This  was  no  less 
an  event  than  the  establishment  of  a  "Band  of  Faith." 

JIt  is  interesting  to  note  that  at  that  time  the  salaries  of  the  presidents  of  some 
of  the  larger  institutions  were  little  in  advance  of  that  paid  at  Shurtleff.  Union 
College,  New  York,  paid  $2,500  and  house;  Hamilton  College,  New  York, 
$1,500;  the  University  of  Virginia,  $2,500;  the  University  of  Iowa;  $2,500; 
Middlebury  College,  Vermont,  $2,000,  and  Amherst  College,  $3,000. 


PROFESSOR    WASHINGTON    LEVERETT. 


DR.   READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  163 

A  description  of  this  somewhat  remarkable  movement 
was  given  soon  after  its  inception  by  a  gentleman  who 
was  heartily  in  sympathy  with  its  efforts  and  aims,  as 
follows : 

"For  several  years  past  the  providences  of  God  toward 
some  of  our  fellow  students  have  been  very  marked 
and  peculiar,  evidently  intended  to  prepare  them  for  a 
life  of  faith.  They  have  gone  forth  during  their  vaca- 
tions to  labor  for  Christ,  not  knowing  always  whither 
they  should  go,  and  taking  neither  purse  nor  scrip,  and 
yet  they  have  been  guided  by  the  Spirit  and  their  labors 
greatly  blessed,  and  upon  returning  have  testified,  as 
the  seventy  did,  'they  have  lacked  nothing.'  Money  for 
traveling  expenses,  for  the  purchase  of  tracts  and  Bibles, 
and  for  their  personal  use  has  been  furnished  to  them 
without  their  asking  any  one  but  God,  and  often  without 
their  knowing  whence  it  came.  And  the  expenses  of 
the  young  men  during  term  time  have  been  provided 
for  by  their  Lord  and  Master-  in  ways  equally  remarkable. 

"Most  of  them,  previous  to  this  year,  have  boarded 
themselves,  often  on  plain  and  scanty  fare,  but  with  a 
joyful  spirit.  At  the  beginning  of  this  session  several 
of  these  students  felt  that  it  was  desirable  to  have  these 
kindred  elements  organized,  both  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
moting their  common  interests  and  in  order  to  prosecute 
Christian  labor  more  successfully.  Accordingly  they 
sought  for  some  Christian  family  with  views  and  feelings 
like  their  own  where  they  could  board  in  common,  hold 
a  special  prayer  meeting  for  the  daily  supply  of  their 
wants,  and  encourage  and  cheer  one  another  by  mutual 
sympathy  and  religious  conversation.  Such  a  family  was 
soon  found  among  the  married  students  of  the  theolog- 
ical department.  By  the  common  contributions  and 
•common  labors  of  all  those  who  entered  into  this  new 


1 64  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

movement,  nineteen  in  all,  the  house  of  this  student  was 
enlarged  so  as  to  afford  room  for  twenty  boarders,  and 
they  soon  entered  their  new  quarters  and  began  opera- 
tions. And  from  the  very  first  they  have  had  most 
marked  tokens  of  Divine  favor.  Many  signal  instances 
of  special  answer  to  prayer  have  occurred,  and  although 
they  have  asked  no  one  but  their  Heavenly  Father  for 
such  things  as  they  needed,  contributions  have  been  sent 
in  frequently,  many  of  them  from  unknown  sources,  and 
their  wants  have  all  been  supplied.  They  feel  that  they 
are  seeking  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  His  righteous- 
ness, and  hence  that  they  can  safely  rely  upon  the 
promise  of  Jesus,  that  all  tiiese  things  shall  be  added 
unto  them,  for  their  Heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  they 
have  need  of  these  things.  This  is  a  life  of  faith;  and 
we  hail  this  movement  as  one  which  we  believe  is  in  the 
right  direction,  and  which  we  hope  may  grow  into  such 
dimensions  as  to  constitute  a  glorious  monument  of 
God's  power  and  willingness  to  answer  prayer — a  proof 
that  ours  is  a  Living  God." 

The  "Band"  was  organized  on  the  third  of  October, 
1868,  and  three  months  later  a  pamphlet  was  published  by 
the  members  of  the  new  organization  with  the  title,  "A 
Record  of  God's  Dealings  with  the  Band  of  Faith  of 
Shurtleff  College."  The  introduction  was  written  by 
President  Read,  who  was  deeply  interested  in  the  new 
movement  and  had  given  it  his  personal  sanction  and 
support  from  the  start.  The  pamphlet  contained  the 
journals  of  the  treasurer  and  steward  of  the  club,  show- 
ing in  detail  what  had  been  received  day  by  day  by  the 
members  in  the  way  of  food,  money,  and  sundries  in 
answer  to  prayer. 

From  Dr.  Read's  introduction  it  appears  that  in 
the  autumn  of  1866  one  of  the  young  men  in 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  165 

the  College,  a  student  for  the  ministry,  found  him- 
self without  the  funds  necessary  to  complete  his 
course — a  condition  by  no  means  unique  in  the  history 
of  ShurtlefFs  students.  A  query  arose  in  his  mind  as 
to  whether  he  should  go  on  with  his  class  or  go  out  and 
earn  money.  He  decided  to  remain  at  school  and  to  trust 
God  for  his  daily  needs.  Soon  after  this  decision  was 
made  he  received  an  invitation  to  preach  on  a  certain 
Sunday  at  a  country  place  one  hundred  miles  from  the 
College.  He  was  given  in  return  for  his  services  a  few 
dollars  over  and  above  his  travelling  expenses.  Thus 
was  provided  at  a  critical  moment  and  by  providential 
interposition,  as  it  seemed  to  him  in  his  anxiety  and 
stress,  the  first  installment  of  the  sum  which  was  neces- 
sary to  carry  him  safely  through  the  year.  But  more! 
A  reckless  young  man,  in  one  of  the  families  of  the 
church,  was  attracted  to  the  student,  and  by  him  was 
persuaded  to  attend  college.  Out  of  gratitude  for  his 
kindness  to  their  boy,  amid  his  follies  and  attempts  at 
reformation,  the  parents  gave  to  the  young  student  money 
and  clothing,  as  well  as  furniture  for  his  room.  Deeply 
impressed  by  this  prompt  and  seemingly  most  definite 
and  certainly  most  satisfactory  reply  to  his  prayer,  he 
gave  himself  up  fully  to  the  "life  of  faith."  In  this  he 
was  soon  joined  by  his  room-mate,  and  throughout  the 
year  their  wants  were  supplied. 

Instead  of  spending  the  summer  that  followed  in  labor 
for  wages  these  two  students  held  children's  meet- 
ings in  different  parts  of  Missouri  and  through  their 
instrumentality  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  people 
professed  conversion.  Though  they  asked  no  aid  from 
any  one,  they  suffered  no  lack  or  privation.  Inspired  by 
their  example,  several  other  students  spent  their  next 
summer  vacation  in  similar  fashion.  On  returning  to 


1 66  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

college  again  these  young  men  formed  the  nucleus  of  the 
group  of  students  who  soon  came  together  under  the 
name  of  the  Faith  Band.  They  adopted  three  very 
simple  rules :  To  ask  no  one  but  God  for  their  supplies ; 
never  to  contract  debts  for  these  supplies;  to  be  con- 
tented with  what  God  gave  them. 

The  students  who  composed  the  new  association  seem 
to  have  been  deeply  spiritual  and  full  of  good  works.  In 
the  three  months  which  followed  their  organization  they 
had — according  to  their  published  report — "preached 
102  sermons,  held  41  prayer  meetings,  con- 
ducted 114  Sunday-school  sessions,  paid  357  religious 
visits,  traveled  on  foot  1,145  miles  and  by  rail  1,873 
miles,  and  distributed  11,000  tracts."  They  had  all  things 
in  common  in  their  club,  and  a  box  in  the  dining-room 
receiving  the  offerings  of  the  members.  Although 
rations  were  sometimes  very  low,  and  both  box  and 
larder  were  frequently  almost  entirely  empty,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  "Band"  were  never  discouraged,  and  they  bore 
themselves  always  cheerfully  and  buoyantly  among 
their  fellows.  In  the  first  seven  months  of  its  existence 
the  club  had  received  in  cash  six  hundred  and  twenty  dol- 
lars and  provisions  to  the  value  of  four  hundred  and  fifty, 
making  a  total  of  more  than  one  thousand  dollars.  In 
the  eighth  and  last  month  the  amount  was  still  further 
increased.  Thus  ended  the  college  year.  All  were  in 
good  health;  none  were  in  debt;  the  year  of  study  was 
successfully  completed. 

In  spite  of  all  this,  the  motives  of  the  young  men 
were,  according  to  their  own  claim,  misjudged 
and  misrepresented.  They  were  freely  criticised 
by  people  of  the  town ,  by  their  fellow  students, 
and  even  by  certain  members  of  the  faculty.  It  was 
charged  that  they  neglected  God's  appointed  means  for 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  167 

procuring  daily  blessings  by  not  engaging  in  manual 
labor;  that  they  were  "Fourierists"  and  "Socialists;" 
that  their  published  records  were  in  reality  appeals  for 
aid,  and  that  their  attitude  toward  their  fellows  was  one 
of  pride  and  pharisaism.  President  Read  was  so  stirred 
by  these  charges  that  he  published  a  justification  of  the 
methods  of  the  "Band"  in  a  second  number  of  the 
"Record,"  which  was  issued  at  commencement  time  in 
1869.  In  this  defense  he  affirmed  that  he  did  not  know 
that  "these  brethren  are  any  more  likely  to  indulge  in 
pride  on  account  of  their  faith  than  others  who  oppose 
them  are  to  take  the  flattering  unction  of  self-righteous- 
ness to  their  own  souls  on  account  of  opposing  what 
seems  to  themselves  a  mistake." 

It  requires  to  be  said,  however,  in  strict  justice  to  the 
rational  as  well  as  the  sentimental  side  of  the  question, 
that  the  attitude  of  the  disciples  of  the  life  of  faith  was 
not  always  that  of  the  "faith  that  worketh  by  love."  In 
the  conduct  of  certain  benevolent  or  missionary  enter- 
prises the  "Mueller  doctrine,"  so  enthusiastically  adopted 
by  the  "Band"  at  Alton,  may  be  entirely  legitimate,  scrip- 
tural and  commendable.  But  in  ordinary  conditions  no 
doctrine  is  more  dangerous  and  none  is  a  graver  menace 
to  the  development  of  a  normal,  virile,  well-rounded 
and  evenly-balanced  Christian  character.  It  creates  a 
craving  for  vagaries  and  a  contempt  for  the  God-ordained 
means  of  spiritual  culture  and  discipline.  It  promotes, 
save  in  men  of  finely-tempered  judgment,  a  refined  but 
no  less  harmful  form  of  selfishness ;  while  it  fosters  a 
habit  of  self-complacent  joy  and  pride,  involving  often 
a  censorious  bitterness  which  sits  in  arbitrary  judgment 
upon  the  actions  of  other  men.  These  elements  were 
perhaps  not  altogether  wanting  at  Shurtleff.  At  any  rate, 
the  "Band"  and  its  work  became  a  source  of  disharmony 
and  even  of  discord  among  the  students  and  professors. 


1 68  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

After  a  time  it  became  a  subject  of  discussion  in  the  ses- 
sions of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  bred  divisions  there. 

It  must  ever  be  kept  in  mind  that  the  debate  with  refer- 
ence to  the  methods  of  the  Faith  Band  was  in  essence  a 
doctrinal  one.  Both  sides  were  certain  of  the  correctness 
of  their  views  from  a  theological  and  biblical  standpoint. 
Now,  Dr.  Pattison  had  been  a  beloved  confrere  and  friend 
of  Dr.  Francis  Wayland  of  Brown  University.  He  was  a 
man  of  singularly  clear  theological  views,  and  his 
righteous  soul  was  greatly  vexed  at  the  views  of  the 
members  and  defenders  of  the  Faith  Band,  which  he  con- 
sidered crude  and  visionary.  Dr.  Read  was  a  man  of 
essentially  different  mould  and  cast  of  thought.  Rather 
spiritual  than  logical,  rather  dreamy  than  practical,  he 
was  one  of  the  best  of  men,  yet  liable  to  be  fascinated  by 
unusual  and  extreme  religious  opinions.  His  ardent  sup- 
port of  the  Faith  movement  was  no  less  a  perplexity  than 
a  grief  to  many  among  his  multitude  of  admirers  and 
friends.  When  he  sought  to  complete  the  building, 
whose  cellar  had  been  excavated  on  the  campus  some 
time- before,  by  resort  to  this  theory  of  prayer  and  faith, 
dissension  became  rife  in  the  Board.  The  upshot  of  all 
the  turmoil  was  the  retiracy  of  Dr.  Pattison  from  the 
faculty,  a  step  which  was  hastened  and  in  part  compelled 
by  the  failure  of  the  trustees  to  agree  to  the  plan  of  him- 
self and  others  for  the  separation  of  the  Theological 
School  from  the  Arts  Department  of  the  College.  The 
subsequent  resignation  of  President  Read  closed  the 
entire  discussion,  so  far  as  the.  College  life  was  concerned. 

Notwithstanding  these  facts  the  last  full  year  of  Presi- 
dent Read's  administration  was  in  some  respects  the  most 
brilliant  that  the  College  had  ever-known.  There  was  an 
excellent  attendance  of  students.  The  class  work  was 
exceptionally  good.  The  spirit  of,  healthful,  rivalry 
among  the  classes  was  stronger  than  any  unpleasant 


DR.  READ'S-  ADMINISTRATION.  169 

society  jealousies.  The  College  paper  was  under  judi- 
cious editorship  and  had  become  a  permanent  feature  of 
the  life  of  the  College.  A  collection  of  valuable  speci- 
mens from  New  Zealand  and  Singapore  was  donated  to 
the  museum.  A  lecture  course  was  instituted  early  in 
the  year,  and  the  students  had  the  privilege  of  listening 
to-  Dr.  Edwards,  president  of  the  State  Normal  Univer- 
sity; Miss  Phoebe  Couzins  of  St.  Louis,  and  Rev.  A.  H. 
Burlingham,  D.  D.,  of  St.  Louis.  Miss  Couzins  was  a 
student  of  the  Law  School  in  Washington  University, 
and  her  address  on  woman's  suffrage  created  quite  a 
breeze  in  the  college  community.  She  was  afterward 
United  States  marshal  for  the  city  of  St.  Louis. 

The  school  as  a  whole  was  well  managed,  and  acts 
of  insubordination  were  few  and  far  between.  The 
chapel  exercises  occupied  half  an  hour  each  morning 
and  were  greatly  enjoyed  by  the  students.  Dr.  Read 
seemed  always  to  choose  the  Scripture  lesson  which  was 
especially  needed,  and  his  explanations  of  the  selected 
passages  were  uniformly  impressive  and  uplifting.  His 
prayers  were  touching  and  thrilling.  The  professors, 
with  the  exception  of  the  president,  were  not  in  the 
habit  of  attending  chapel,  and  their  absence  awakened 
some  comment  and  criticism  on  the  part  of  the  students. 
The  reading-room  was  one  of  the  best  in  the  country 
and  almost  all  of  the  more  important  periodicals  were 
to  be  found  there.  The  library  underwent  a  transforma- 
tion in  the  early  part  of  the  year,  under  the  direction  of 
the  librarian,  Professor  Washington  Leverett.  A  new  and 
complete  classification  of  the  books  was  made  and  a 
chart  constructed,  showing  the  classes  and  their  respec- 
tive positions  on  the  shelves. 

The  personnel  of  the  faculty  continued  to  be  encourag- 
ingly strong.  The  College  had  been  fortunate  in  the 
preceding  winter  in  securing  the  services  of  Dr.  Charles 


170  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Fairman,  of  New  York  state,  in  the  department  of 
Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy.  After  he  had 
been  with  his  classes  a  few  weeks  the  universal  verdict 
found  expression  in  the  emphatic  declaration  that  "he 
infuses  an  enthusiasm  into  his  recitations  equal  to  that 
in  recitations  of  the  Aeneid  and  Iliad." 

Now  after  another  year  further  changes  occurred 
in  the  teaching  staff.  In  addition  to  the  resignation  of 
Professor  Pattison  from  the  theological  department — an 
event  of  great  consequence — Professor  Haight  resigned 
the  principalship  of  the  preparatory  department,  and  Mr. 
George  B.  Dodge  was  elected  in  his  stead.  Mr.  Haight 
had  served  for  four  years  and  a  half,  and  resigned  to  ac- 
cept the  position  of  assistant  in  the  Normal  department  of 
the  University  of  Missouri.  Mr.  Haight  is  still  actively 
engaged  in  educational  work,  and  for  many  years  past 
has  had  charge  of  a  flourishing  military  academy  at  Kirk- 
wood,  Missouri. 

The  critical  event  of  the  year,  however,  was  the  resig- 
nation of  President  Read,  which  he  submitted  at  the 
March  meeting  of  the  Board.  In  April  he  went  to 
Winona,  Minn.,  where  he  had  accepted  the  pastorate  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  After  laboring  with  conse- 
crated energy  in  Bloomington,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
and  in  other  important  cities,  Dr.  Read  removed 
to  California,  where  he  became  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  in  Los  Angeles.  There  he  remained 
through  several  years  of  noble  service  and  was  then 
granted  a  comfortable  salary  for  the  remaining  years 
of  his  life  by  the  church,  which  reluctantly  accepted  his 
resignation.  But  the  end  was  near.  Soon  after  he 
relinquished  his  pastorate  his  wife  was  smitten  with 
severe  illness,  and  in  a  few  days  was  taken  from  him. 
Stricken  and  alone,  he  undertook  a  tedious  journey  east- 
ward, intending  to  visit  for  a  time  among  old  friends 


WILLARD    A.    SMITH. 


DR.  READ'S  ADMINISTRATION.  I? I 

in  different  parts  of  the  country,  but  he  was  brought 
low  by  sickness  at  the  home  of  his  son-in-law  in  Kansas, 
and  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  May,  1898,  he  followed  his 
wife  to  the  spirit  land. 

Amongst  the  students  during  Dr.  Read's  last  years  at 
the  College  was  Mr.  Fred  T.  Dubois  of  Springfield,  who 
entered  the  College  in  1865  and  remained  for  three  years, 
going  then  to  Yale  for  the  completion  of  his  course.  As 
a  United  States  Senator  and  as  the  leader  of  the  "Silver 
Republicans"  in  the  last  presidential  campaign,  Mr.  Du- 
bois became  prominent  in  the  life  of  the  nation.  Mr. 
Willard  A.  Smith,  now  Chief  of  the  Department  of 
Transportation  at  the  Paris  Exposition,  under  appoint- 
ment of  President  McKinley,  was  a  graduate  of  Shurtleff 
in  the  class  of  '69.  He  has  published  for  years  past  "The 
Railway  Review"  and  "The  Railway  ?vlaster  Mechanic." 
During  the  World's  Fair  in  Chicago  he  was  Chief  of 
Transportation.  He  is  a  singularly  strong  and  gifted 
man.  The  large  majority  of  the  students  in  Dr.  Read's 
time  were  looking  forward  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry. Among  all  of  these  none  has  earned  a  fairer  fame 
than  Philip  S.  Moxom.  After  his  theological  course  he 
became  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Cleveland, 
and  seven^ years  later  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Boston,  where  he  remained  for  nearly 
eight  years,  resigning  in  1893.  He  is  now  pastor  of  the 
South  Congregational  Church  of  Springfield,  Mass.  As 
an  author  he  is  widely  known.  For  many  years  he  has 
been  the  president  of  the  Browning  Society  of  Bos- 
ton, and  of  the  Anti-Tenement  House  League.  He  has 
also  been  a  delegate  to  several  of  the  International  Peace 
congresses.  As  a  preacher  he  has  been  an  inspiration  to 
multitudes,  for  he  speaks  a  message  which  thrills  the  heart 
and  quickens  the  understanding  and  arouses  the  will. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF,  1827-1839. 

Religious  leaders  in  the  pioneer  days — Aims  of  the  Rock  Spring  School — The 
battle  for  ministerial  culture — The  "hardshells" :  their  words  and  methods — 
A  missionary  convention  formed — Its  plea  for  an  educated  ministry — The 
Alton  Theological  Seminary — Mr.  Colby's  excellent  work— The  Illinois 
Baptist  Education  Society  organized — Aid  societies,  ancient  and  modern. 

• 

When  the  Rock  Spring  Seminary  was  founded  not  a 
single  Baptist  minister  was  settled  as  the  regular  pastor 
of  one  church  in  the  entire  state  of  Illinois.  The  major- 
ity of  the  churches  had  preaching  once  a  month — "quarter 
time ;" — those  that  were  more  highly  favored  assembled 
for  religious  services  twice  a  month — "half  time ;" — while 
the  rest  depended  chiefly  on  the  periodical  visits  of  itiner- 
ant missionaries  who  lived  in  the  saddle,  and  spent  their 
time  in  riding  from  settlement  to  settlement,  staying  in 
each  place  just  long  enough  to  hold  a  meeting  or  series  of 
meetings. 

These  ministers  and  evangelists  were  men  of  the 
people.  Possessed  in  many  cases  of  fine  native  ability, 
direct  in  method,  fervid  in  manner,  forceful  in  appeal, 
making  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement  pivotal  in  their 
preaching,  they  wielded  a  powerful  influence  over  the 
hearts  and  consciences  of  their  hearers.  They  were  thor- 
oughly practical  in  all  their  efforts.  They  had  been 
humbly  born  themselves.  They  had  no  wealth  and 
seemed  to  desire  none.  They  were  loved  and  respected 

172 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  173 

by  the  people,  with  whom  they  entered  into  relations  of 
cordial  sympathy.  Books  and  schools  being  few,  the 
criteria  of  judgment  in  matters  intellectual  were  neither 
lofty  nor  clearly  defined,  so  that  these  ignorant  but  conse- 
crated preachers  were  admired  for  their  effectiveness  in 
"exhorting,"  and  were  thus  empowered  to  accomplish 
comparatively  large  results.  Many  of  these  men  were 
narrow  in  their  views;  their  prejudices  were  often  ex- 
ceedingly strong.  They  lacked,  however,  the  bitterness 
of  the  "hardshells."  Theoretically  at  least  they  believed 
in  educational  and  missionary  enterprises.  Mr.  Peck 
became  their  wise  counsellor  and  staunch  friend.  He 
greatly  enjoyed  his  association  with  them.  He  honored 
them  for  their  sincere  devotion  to  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ.  But  he  saw  that  their  day  was  surely  passing. 
A  new  life  would  demand  a  new  class  of  religious  leaders, 
not  less  earnest  than  the  old,  but  more  amply  equipped, 
more  thoroughly  trained.  Therefore  he  faithfully 
wrought  for  the  future;  therefore  he  built  his  school. 

The  Rock  Spring  Seminary  was  established  as  a  "theo- 
logical and  high  school."  The  needs  of  the  rising  minis- 
try in  the  state  and  throughout  the  West  were  the  source 
of  special  and  primary  regard.  Yet  the  aim  in  this 
respect  was  not  unduly  ambitious.  The  chief  object  of 
the  school  was  not  to  provide  theological  instruction  for 
ministerial  students,  but  rather  to  secure  a  sound  and 
practical  preliminary  training,  chiefly  in  the  English 
branches,  for  young  men  having  in  view  the  clerical 
vocation.  It  may,  therefore,  be  said  that  its  entire  aim 
was  twofold.  It  sought  to  give  a  general  elementary  edu- 
cation to  young  ministers,  and  as  well  to  offer  a  common- 
school  course  of  study,  with  training  in  the  Latin  and 
Greek  languages,  to  all  comers.  There  was  little  differ- 
ence in  the  arrangement  of  work  in  the  case  of  the  two 


174  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

departments.  Doubtless  a  more  definite  differentiation 
would  have  taken  place,  if  the  school  had  continued  its 
work  without  interruption  for  a  longer  period.  There 
were  of  course  certain  subjects  in  which  the  theological 
students  were  especially  interested,  and  which  were  fol- 
lowed eagerly  by  them  and  shunned  by  the  student  body 
at  large.  Such  were  the  classes  in  theology  and  Bible 
study  which  Mr.  Peck  conducted.  These  two  subjects 
really  constituted  the  sum  and  substance  of  the  distinct- 
ively theological  instruction.  Thus  the  greater  part  of 
the  work  which  was  done  in  behalf  of  the  students  of  this 
department  contributed  directly  to  their  general  culture, 
while  next  to  nothing  in  the  way  of  professional  training 
was  attempted. 

More  than  this  is  also  true.  Though  the  primary  aim 
of  the  school  was  avowedly  to  furnish  a  basal  equipment 
for  young  ministers,  the  secondary  motive  soon  became  a 
more  prominent  one.  Candidates  for  the  ministry  were 
few  and  far  between,  and  the  number  was  still  less  of 
those  who  felt  deeply  the  need  of  an  education,  and  were 
not  misled  by  the  idea  that  they  had  but  "to  open  their 
mouth  and  the  Lord  would  fill  it,"  giving  words  and 
wisdom.  Indeed,  out  of  the  entire  enrollment  of  one 
hundred  and  forty-two,  during  the  four  years  at  Rock 
Spring,  only  eleven  became  pastors  of  churches,  and  this 
number  includes  those  who  were  licensed  to  preach  dur- 
ing their  school  days  or  before,  and  also  those  who  after- 
ward decided  to  enter  the  ministry. 

That  this  percentage  was  so  small  was  certainly  not 
the  fault  of  the  founder  of  the  school.  Above  all  else 
he  desired  the  promotion  and  extension  of  theological 
instruction.  He  most  clearly  discerned  the  need  of 
trained  leadership  in  the  churches,  and  made  every  possi- 
ble effort  to  supply  the  need.  In  his  practical  wisdom 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  I?5 

he  predicted  the  growth  of  conditions  which  at  that  time 
were  inchoate  and  but  vaguely  defined.  He  saw  that 
•new  and  perilous  problems  attend  the  course  of  enlarging 
life.  He  foretold  the  disintegrating  influence  of  strange 
peoples,  the  strife  of  rivalry,  the  greed  of  gain,  the  per- 
plexities and  difficulties  of  a  rapidly  growing  and  intricate 
civilization.  In  the  interest  of  the  highest  ethical  and 
Christian  development  of  the  West  he  prayed  without 
•ceasing  and  toiled  without  respite  and  pleaded  with 
impassioned  earnestness.  But  how  could  the  religious 
life  be  fostered,  how  could  the  people  hear  the  Word 
aright  and  follow  its  teachings,  without  the  guidance  of 
wise  men,  filled  with  the  Spirit?  And  how  could  such 
men  be  properly  taught  and  disciplined  without  the  aid 
of  schools,  without  the  uplifting  influence  of  godly  teach- 
ers? There  was  no  theological  seminary,  no  college,  no 
high  school,  west  of  Indiana;  and  no  Baptist  institution 
west  of  the  state  of  New  York.  In  spite  of  the  lack  of 
educational  advantage  on  his  own  part,  and  in  great 
measure  by  very  reason  of  this  lack  and  a  consciousness 
of  the  disabilities  which  it  imposed,  the  Pioneer  laid  the 
foundations  at  Rock  Spring.  He  championed  a  noble 
cause  in  the  midst  of  a  rancorous  opposition  and  a  bitter- 
ness of  feeling  which  often  amounted  to  the  worst  form 
of  persecution. 

In  this  day  it  is  not  easy  to  imagine  to  what  extent 
their  jealous  and  unreasonable  spirit  carried  many  of  the 
old-time  ministers.  That  their  associates  and  followers 
should  be  blessed  with  a  broader  culture  than  they  them- 
selves possessed  was  a  thought  intolerable.  They  there- 
fore compelled  their  consciences  into  alliance  with  preju- 
dice. They  insisted  that  what  had  been  must  still  be. 
They  sought  refuge  from  the  shafts  which  the  apostles 
of  progress  levelled  against  them  by  hiding  behind  curtain 


176  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

texts  of  Scripture  which  seemed  to  belittle  educational 
advantage.  These  they  used  and  abused  in  the  service  of 
their  narrow  illiberality.  Darkening  knowledge  and  re- 
fusing enlightenment,  they  sought  to  cast  upon  the  Lord 
the  responsibility  for  their  own  uncharitableness. 

The  truth  of  these  strong  statements  may  be  readily 
corroborated  by  a  reference  to  the  transactions  of  the 
associational  gatherings  which  these  people  held  from 
time  to  time.  Their  '.'circular  letter"  for  1824  contains 
the  following  heroic  sentiments :  "If  we  look  at  the 
fruits  of  the  pretended  reformation  under  Luther  and 
Calvin,  the  multiplicity  of  societies  that  have  arisen,  each 
striving  to  be  greatest,  their  zeal  breaking  over  all  bounds, 
hath  established  the  missionary  plan,  and  calls  this  a  day 
of  wonders,  striving  for  power  and  money  to  send  the 
gospel  to  the  heathen  nations.  Thus  Zion  is  astonished 
at  their  unbounded  cravings,  wherefore  pray  daily  to  be 
delivered  from  such  impositions."1 

This  graceful  and  perspicuous  statement  was  followed 
by  many  of  like  character.  In  another  annual  letter  it  is 
announced  that  "we  hesitate  not  to  say  that  the  new- 
fangled plan  of  missionary  institutions,  and  the  going 
out  of  missionaries,  are  made  absolutely  to  depend  on 
the  moneys  which  can  be  collected  together,  and  hence 
it  will  appear  that  money  is  their  foundation,  and  human 
schemes  are  the  means  employed  to  establish  that  foun- 
dation. .  .  .  Let  the  people  withhold  the  moneyed 
support,  and  it  will  soon  be  seen  that  these  institutions 
will  totter  and  fall,  and  those  well-dressed  beggars  who 
are  traveling  to  and  fro  in  search  of  money  will  grow 
scarcer  and  scarcer.  We  believe  that  the  missionary 
spirit  which  is  abroad  in  the  land  is  the  same  spirit  that 

1  Circular  letter  of  the  Illinois  United  Baptist  dissociation,  1824. 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  T?7 

pervaded  the  church  in  the  apostle's  day  and  which  he 
calls  'the  mystery  of  iniquity.' J?1 

Considering  the  ignorance  and  calumny  which  consti- 
tute the  tissue  of  this  formal  published  address,  the  style 
of  innuendo  and  abuse  which  proceeded  from  the  lips  of 
these  "United"  Baptists  on  private  and  semi-public  occa- 
sions can  to  some  extent  be  conceived.     "Elder"  Jacob 
Bower,  usually  called  "Father"  Bower,  was  a  co-worker 
\vith  Dr.  Peck  for  many  years.    This  man  was  a  type  of 
the  consecrated  old-time  preacher  which  has  been  before 
described.     On  account  of  a  severe  accident  he  was  dis- 
qualified for  manual  labor  for  the  rest  of  his  life.    During 
his  illness  both  Dr.  Peck  and  Dr.  Edwards  visited  him 
and  advised  him  to  spend  his  time  as  an  evangelist,  under 
the  direction  of  the  American  Baptist  Home   Mission 
Society.     Upon  receiving  his  consent  these  two  good 
brethren  secured  a  commission  for  him  from  the  society, 
with  a  first  installment  of  one  hundred  dollars  for  sal- 
ary and  expenses.       The  church  of  which  he  was   a 
member  regarded  the  sending  of  the  commission  as  an 
insult  and  commanded  him  to  return  it,  together  with 
the   money.     This   he   did,   {hough   he  and   his   family 
were  almost  starving  for  lack  of  the  necessities  of  life. 
It  soon  came  back  to  him  from  the  society,  however,  and 
this  time  he  resolved  to  act  under  its  directions,  without 
the  church's  knowledge.     There  were  inquisitive  spirits 
and  tattling  tongues  abroad,  so  soon  the  battle  began. 
He  was   placed  on  trial   before  the  church.     He  was 
harassed  and  bitterly  arraigned.     The  controversy  was 
long  and  unpleasant.    At  last,  by  the  exercise  of  a  Christ- 
like  and  courageous  spirit,  the  heretic  preacher  succeeded 
in  convincing  the  church,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 

^Circular  letter  of  the  Illinois  United  Baptist  Association,  1828. 


178  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

members,  that  missions  were  not  anti-scriptural.  That 
was  in  1833.  ^n  the  following  year  Father  Bower 
was  dismissed  from  the  pastorate  of  the  Sandy  Creek 
Church,  because  he  was  a  missionary;  and  the  same 
church  declared  by  formal  resolution  that  neither  he  nor 
any  person  holding  similar  views  should  be  allowed  the 
privileges  of  fellowship  or  be  admitted  into  their  com- 
munion. 

The  outcries  of  these  people  against  the  establishment 
of  schools  were  even  more  strenuous  than  their  denun- 
ciation of  the  missionary  enterprise,  for  the  work  of 
enlightenment  through  the  medium  of  educational  agen- 
cies affected  their  personal  prestige  more  directly.  Some 
of  them  had  political  influence  which  they  used  repeatedly 
to  defeat  the  aims  so  ardently  sought  by  the  promoters 
of  educational  interests.  A  lady  who  was  residing  in 
Mr.  Peck's  family  in  the  pioneer  days,  and  who  afterward 
became  Mrs.  M.  P.  Lemen,  used  to  relate  an  incident 
which  is  thoroughly  characteristic  of  the  type  of  men 
which  we  have  described.  When  application  was  made 
to  the  State  Legislature  for  a  charter  for  the  Rock  Spring 
Seminary  the  failure  to  secure  the  measure  proposed  was 
directly  due  to  the  intriguing  influence  of  the  Lieutenant 
Governor,  who  on  Sundays,  and  when  not  occupied  with 
political  affairs,  was  a  hardshell  Baptist  preacher.  The 
granting  of  such  a  charter,  he  argued,  would  be  a  source 
of  grave  danger  to  the  state.  "Those  Yankees,"  he 
vigorously  affirmed,  "are  moving  into  this  state  very  rap- 
idly, and  if  we  give  them  a  charter  for  all  these  monopo- 
lies our  liberties  will  all  soon  be  gone."1  Some  of  the 
members  of  this  strange  "sect  within  a  sect"  did  not  hesi- 
tate to  declare  their  belief  that  the  higher  education,  and 

'See  Historical  Address  of  Rev.  Samuel  Baker,  D.  D.,  on  The  Progress  of 
Civilization.  Religion  and  Education  in  the  Central  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,  p.  84. 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  1/9 

especially  the  training  of  ministers,  was  a  device  of  the 
devil  for  separating  man  from  man  and  hindering  the 
progress  of  the  Gospel  by  means  of  learned  "babblings 
and  opposition  of  science  falsely  so  called." 

To  the  liberal-minded  and  large-hearted  Baptists  of  the 
state  a  cordial  fellowship  with  these  men  became  increas- 
ingly difficult.  To  advocate  missions,  education,  Sunday- 
schools  and  a  salaried  ministry  meant  unworthy  criticism 
from  brethren  of  a  common  name,  who  professed  a  com- 
mon faith  in  the  same  Lord  and  Master.  To  be  silent  in 
order  to  secure  peace  at  any  price  meant  stagnation  in 
Christian  work  and  a  constant  reproach  of  conscience 
on  account  of  inactivity.  So  a  meeting  composed  of 
"ministers  and  private  brethren"  convened  at  Winches- 
ter on  the  twelfth  of  October,  1832,  to  consider  the  advisa- 
bility of  forming  "a  Baptist  convention  for  missionary 
purposes." 

The  meeting  continued  in  session  for  several  days,  and 
at  its  close  a  committee  was  appointed,  with  Mr.  Peck  at 
its  head,  to  prepare  an  address,  setting  forth  the  needs 
and  the  objects  of  the  new  organization.  This  address, 
both  excellent  in  spirit  and  positive  in  tone,  was  written 
and  published  before  the  end  of  October,  and  circulated 
freely  through  the  state  in  the  course  of  the  following 
months.  Just  one  year  later  a  meeting  was  held  at  Upper 
Alton  and  a  form  of  constitution  was  submitted.  After 
full  discussion  this  also  was  printed  and  sent  broadcast 
among  the  churches,  while  a  further  year  was  taken  for 
deliberation.  On  the  ninth  of  October,  1834,  twelve  clergy- 
men and  eight  laymen  who  had  wended  their  way  across 
the  lonely  prairies  gathered  at  the  village  of  Whitehall, 
"ten  miles  north  of  Carrollton,  in  Green  county,"  and} 
formally  organized  the  Baptist  Convention  of  Illinois. 

The  constitution  proposed  in  the  year  preceding  was 


l8o  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

adopted.  According  to  this  document  the  convention 
was  pledged,  for  all  the  years  of  the  future,  to  support 
among  other  important  interests,  "the  cause  of  ministerial 
education,  and  especially  aid  in  promoting  education  in 
general."  A  lengthy  report  on  ministerial  education 
was  presented  before  the  session  closed.  It  was  a  strong 
and  intelligent  paper,  proceeding  throughout  upon  the 
principle  that  the  subject  which  it  considered  was  of  vital 
moment  and  essential  to  the  permanent  prosperity  of  any 
denomination.  Its  chief  positions  were  as  follows : 

"In  the  infancy  of  our  settlements  an  uneducated  min- 
istry may  be  eminently  useful  in  the  conversion  of  sinners 
and  gathering  together  of  churches,  but  after  settlements 
have  become  permanent,  schools  established,  periodicals 
perused  and  various  other  stores  of  intelligence  opened, 
there  is  demand  for  sound  and  judicious  instruction 
from  the  ambassador  of  Christ.  .  .  .  Such  knowl- 
edge is  obtained  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Most  of  the 
preachers  of  our  order  in  the  West  have  been  self-taught. 
They  have  pressed  their  way  through  difficulties  that 
would  have  paralyzed  most  men,  and  gathered  a  stock 
of  useful  information  for  the  edification  of  the  churches. 
But  the  numbers  are  comparatively  few  of  those  who  com- 
mence the  ministry  of  the  gospel  with  minds  uninformed, 
and  make  any  considerable  advances  in  the  knowledge  of 
the  gospel  which  they  profess  to  teach.  A  foundation 
should  be  laid  before  the  work  of  preaching  is  fully 
entered  upon.  But  this  cannot  be  done  without  suitable 
instruction  and  competent  teachers.  Seminaries  should 
be  established  with  such  facilities  as  will  enable  our 
young  brethren  in  the  ministry  to  pursue  a  regular  course 
of  study.  .  .  .  It  is  true  that  by  efforts  to  educate 
our  young  brethren  in  the  ministry  we  may  be  instru- 
mental in  introducing  lights  in  the  candlesticks  that  may 

* 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  181 

far,  very  far,  outshine  ourselves.  But  what  minister  of 
Christ  would  not  rejoice  to  be  thus  eclipsed?  A  father 
might  as  consistently  envy  the  growing  promise  of  his 
son,  for  whose  education  he  had  liberally  provided,  for 
fear  of  being  outshone  by  him,  as  we  the  growing  prom- 
ise of  those  whom  we  have  prayed  for,  counseled  and 
aided. 

"You  are  already  apprised  that  a  few  brethren  in  Alton 
and  vicinity  have  founded  an  institution  of  learning, 
partly  with  a  view  to  the  rising  ministry.  A  school  has 
been  sustained  there  for  more  than  a  year,  a  building 
erected,  and  about  360  acres  of  land  purchased.  There 
are  now  seven  young  men,  members  of  Baptist  churches, 
pursuing  their  studies  at  that  place,  the  greater  part  of 
whom,  if  not  all,  have  their  minds  directed  to  the  gospel 
ministry,  and  some  have  commenced  preaching.  These 
facts  afford  your  committee  great  satisfaction.  But  the 
expense  hitherto  incurred  has  been  borne  chiefly  by  a 
few  brethren  and  friends.  In  conclusion,  your  committee 
would  commend  the  subject  of  ministerial  education  and 
the  Alton  Seminary  to  the  prayerful  consideration  of 
this  body,  and  would  urge  upon  the  brethren  generally 
the  claims  that  institution  has  upon  their  prayers  and 
bounty." 

When  the  Reverend  Alvin  Bailey,  the  chairman  of  the 
committee,  had  finished  reading  the  report  a  number  of 
animated  addresses  were  given  by  the  ministers  who  were 
present.  Then  Mr.  Loomis  was  called  for.  Coming 
forward,  he  interested  the  audience  deeply  by  his  account 
of  the  conditions  and  prospects  of  the  seminary,  and  by 
his  delineation  of  its  pressing  needs.  It  was  a  great  day 
for  the  little  school  down  by  the  Mississippi,  with  its 
seven  theological  students,  its  handful  of  ardent  friends, 
its  limited  means  and  its  large  desires ! 


1 82  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

A  feeling  of  hope  with  reference  to  another  matter 
pervaded  the  meeting  and  contributed  to  the  growing 
enthusiasm.  The  General  Convention  of  Western  Bap- 
tists had  been  busily  debating  a  question  of  no  small 
import.  It  concerned  the  establishment  of  a  complete 
and  well-equipped  theological  seminary  at  some  strategic 
point.  The  annual  session  of  the  convention,  soon  to  be 
held  in  Cincinnati,  was  to  decide  upon  a  location  for  the 
proposed  school.  Toward  the  close  of  the  Whitehall 
meeting,  therefore,  the  delegates  adopted  a  resolution 
urging  the  General  Convention  to  make  Alton  the  site 
of  the  new  seminary,  and  pledging  themselves  in  event 
of  such  action  to  use  all  their  influence  to  advance  its 
interests,  to  do  all  that  might  lie  in  their  power  to  obtain 
funds  for  its  sustenance,  and  to  contribute  from  their 
own  means  to  its  support.  Representatives  were  ap- 
pointed to  visit  the  convention  and  to  support  the  resolu- 
tion by  their  best  efforts  and  most  earnest  words.  Though 
the  delegation  carried  out  to  the  letter  the  instructions 
thus  received,  and  urged  with  vigorous  argument  the 
claims  of  Alton  and  of  Illinois,  the  majority  prevailed 
against  them.  The  Ohio  Baptists,  and  especially  the 
people  of  Cincinnati,  succeeded  in  capturing  the  sentiment 
of,  the  convention,  and  the  convention  city — or  rather 
its  immediate  neighborhood — became  the  location  of  the 
school. 

The  failure  of  their  embassy  by  no  means  discouraged 
the  Baptists  of  the  Prairie  State,  for  the  West  was  a 
wide  world  in  that  day,  and  an  abundant  field  remained 
directly  tributary  to  the  Alton  Seminary.  Besides  this 
it  had  the  advantage  in  point  of  age,  and  the  number  of 
its  friends  was  increasing  day  by  day. 

A  slight  difficulty  which  arose  at  this  time,  and  which 
for  a  brief  season  threatened  serious  trouble,  only  deep- 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  183 

ened  the  loyalty  of  the  school's  supporters,  at  home  and 
afar.  When  Alton  College  received  its  charter  and  it 
was  found  that  by  its  provisions  all  theological  instruc- 
tion was  rigorously  excluded,  the  trustees  were  sorely 
perplexed.  That  the  purpose  of  the  founders  of  the 
school  might  ever  be  kept  in  mind  was  the  earnest  desire 
of  all  the  men  who  were  planning  for  its  future.  So 
after  some  anxious  deliberations  Mr.  Peck  introduced 
a  resolution  in  the  meeting  of  the  Board  on  the  sixth  of 
March,  1835,  stating  that  "in  accordance  with  the  orig- 
inal compact  entered  into  by  the  trustees  .  .  . 
it  is  and  shall  ever  continue  to  be  a  prominent  object  to 
aid  in  the  education  of  young  men  of  genuine  piety 
designed  for  the  gospel  ministry  in  this  section  of  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the  principles  of  this  com- 
pact shall  remain  inviolable."  It  was  decided  further 
that  the  strictly  academic  work  could  not  be  abandoned, 
and  that,  in  order  to  retain  the  charter,  its  conditions 
must  be  complied  with.  This  necessitated  the  separation 
of  College  and  theological  seminary.  It  debarred  theo- 
logical instruction,  except  in  so  far  as  such  instruction 
could  be  carried  forward  under  new  and  independent 
auspices.  It  was  agreed,  however,  that  as  soon  as  means 
could  be  obtained  the  trustees  of  the  seminary  should 
provide  competent  instruction  and  other  facilities  for  the 
carrying  forward  of  ministerial  education.  On  the  day 
following  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  unchartered 
Alton  Seminary  surrendered  to  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  newly  chartered  Alton  College  "all  lands,  improve- 
ments, books  and  other  property  belonging  to  the  semi- 
nary," on  condition  that  the  College  Board  would  assume 
all  its  debts  and  liabilities. 

The  Alton  Seminary  was  thus  broken  into  two  parts, 
one  of  which  continued  its  existence  as  Alton  College, 


1 84  THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

the  other  as  Alton  Theological  Seminary.  Tffe  seminary 
began  its  new  life  unhampered  by  debts  and  unblessed 
by  endowments  or  other  property.  There  was,  however, 
a  saving  clause  in  the  deed  of  transfer.  The  Seminary 
Board  reserved  the  right  of  receiving  from  the  College 
Board  a  title  in  trust  for  so  much  of  the  land  as  might 
be  needed  (not  to  exceed  fifty  acres)  for  the  education 
of  ministers,  with  such  donations  as  had  been  made  for 
this  specific  object.  According  to  the  terms  of  this  pro- 
vision the  Seminary  Board  at  a  meeting  "after  dark"  the 
same  evening  voted  to  appropriate  ten  acres  directly 
opposite  the  College  grounds  as  a  part  of  the  fifty  acres 
to  which  they  were  entitled. 

On  the  eventful  visit  which  he  made  to  the  eastern 
states  in  1835,  the  Pioneer  had  not  only  secured  the  con- 
tribution of  Dr.  Shurtleff ;  he  had  also  laid  the  real  foun- 
dation of  the  theological  enterprise  by  engaging  the 
services  of  Mr.  Lewis  Colby,  of  Boston,  as  professor  of 
theology,  and  had  obtained  several  donations  to  this 
branch  of  the  work.  Beside  this,  he  was  constantly  think- 
ing of  the  young  men  who  might  be  induced  to  enter 
upon  courses  of  study  with  the  ministry  in  view.  His 
letters  from  the  East  indicate  this  interest  very  clearly. 
He  wrote  from  Boston  in  August  that  he  wished  meas- 
ures taken  to  bring  to  the  school  as  many  preachers  as 
possible,  both  young  and  old.  Missouri  as  well  as  Illinois 
should  be  canvassed  for  this  class  of  students ;  they 
should  be  told  that  they  might  obtain  at  Alton  just  the 
kind  of  training  that  they  needed ;  and  everywhere 
through  the  two  states  the  news  should  be  heralded  that 
every  preacher  who  would  come  to  Alton  could  secure 
instruction.  To  make  good  this  declaration  the  trustees 
should  leave  no  stone  unturned.  They  should  provide 
free  tuition.  They  should  put  up  three  or  four  houses, 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  183 

in  which  these  students  and  their  families  might  find 
accommodation  without  expense  to  themselves.  Con- 
cerning further  aid  Mr.  Peck  wrote:  "I  will  provide 
funds.  I  can  get  money  to  educate  preachers,  and  every 
one  that  can  be  persuaded  to  come  for  a  few  months  must 
be  provided  for." 

Soon  after  his  coming  Professor  Colby  drew  up  a  code 
of  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of  the  semi- 
nary. Each  candidate  was  required,  after  suitable  exami- 
nation, to  subscribe  to  the  pledge :  "I  declare  it  to  be  my 
conviction  that  it  is  my  duty  to  devote  myself  to  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry,  and,  relying  on  the  aid  of  Divine 
grace,  I  solemnly  promise  that  so  long  as  I  shall  be  a 
member  of  this  institution  I  will  endeavor  to  make  use 
of  its  advantages  and  observe  its  laws  in  a  faithful  and 
Christian  manner;  to  pay  due  respect  and  obedience  to- 
the  guardians,  professors  and  teachers,  and  to  conduct 
myself  toward  my  fellow  students  as  brethren  and  toward 
all  men  as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ." 

The  evidence  of  genuine  piety  and  a  call  to  the  ministry 
was  also  required  of  every  candidate,  as  well  as  the  pres- 
entation of  an  endorsement  from  the  church  to  which 
he  belonged.  Ideally,  on  the  printed  programmes,  the 
course  of  study  consisted  of  biblical  literature,  ecclesi- 
astical history,  theology  and  pastoral  duties.  Owing  to 
the  lack  of  provision  for  teaching,  on  the  one  hand,  and 
of  advanced  and  well-qualified  students,  on  the  other, 
the  real  course  was  quite  elementary  in  its  character.  Ap- 
plicants were  advised  to  ground  themselves  thoroughly  in 
the  ordinary  English  branches,  though  in  addition  to- 
these  Professor  Colby  gave  them  careful  attention  in 
developing  a  knowledge  of  such  subjects  as  biblical  geog- 
raphy, pastoral  duties  and  the  general  principles  of  bib- 
lical interpretation. 


186  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

The  students  in  this  department  received  such  special 
consideration  at  the  hands  of  the  authorities  that  they 
were  charged  nothing  for  tuition,  for  room  rent  or  for 
the  use  of  the  library.  Their  rooms  were  neat  and  com- 
fortable, and  they  were  not  taxed  for  the  use  of  the  fur- 
niture and  fittings.  Under  the  direction  of  the  College 
faculty  they  were  allowed  to  preach  from  time  to  time 
in  the  surrounding  settlements.  The  professors  consti- 
tuted, in  fact,  a  bureau  of  recommendation,  and  churches 
desiring  a  supply  were  requested  to  correspond  with 
them  rather  than  directly  with  the  students. 

While  Mr.  Colby  and  his  associates  were  thus  laboring 
in  the  cause  of  sound  culture  and  in  behalf  of  the  general 
welfare  of  their  students,  they  were  receiving  a  welcome 
co-operation  abroad.  The  State  Convention,  now  fully 
organized  and  already  entering  upon  an  aggressive  policy, 
took  a  new  step  forward  at  its  second  annual  session  in 
recommending  that  an  education  society  be  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  aiding  such  students  for  the  ministry  as 
should  prove  to  be  both  needy  and  deserving.  The  rec- 
ommendation was  acted  upon  at  a  special  meeting  of  the 
convention,  which  convened  at  Springfield  in  the  course 
of  the  following  summer.1  The  step  was  taken  at  exactly 
the  proper  time.  The  agency  work  in  behalf  of  the 
schools  at  Upper  Alton  had  been  a  gratifying  success. 
Shurtleff  College  had  arisen  in  her  dignity  and  a  regular 
theological  seminary  had  been  established.  Professor 
Colby  had  already  awakened  interest  and  enthusiasm 
in  his  important  position  as  professor  of  theology.  Pro- 
fessor Leverett  would  soon  enter  upon  his  duties.  Pro- 
fessor Zenas  B.  Newman  had  been  chosen  as  teacher  in 

^or  a  full  report  of  this  meeting  see  the  Western  Pioneer  for  September  2, 
1836.  The  special  session  met  on  Friday,  August,  19,  1836,  and  continued  its 
deliberations  for  three  days. 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  187 

the  preparatory  department,  Mr.  Peck  was  urging  the 
claims  of  the  school  with  ardor  and  eloquence.  The  sec- 
ond building  upon  the  college  campus  was  nearing  com- 
pletion. It  was  a  substantial  stone  building,  two  stories 
high,  besides  basement  and  attic.  It  would  cost  forty- 
three  hundred  dollars,  and  the  money  was  ready  to  pay 
carpenter  and  mason  when  the  work  should  be  completed. 
These  many  tokens  of  enlargement  and  advance  con- 
strained the  leaders  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention  at 
their  special  meeting  to  thrust  home  the  fact  of  present 
duty  and  to  urge  the  claims  of  Shurtleff  College  in  words 
that  called  upon  the  members  of  the  body  to  employ  their 
most  faithful  and  untiring  exertions  to  sustain  the  school. 
The  effect  of  this  appeal  was  immediate  and  emphatic. 
The  sessions  of  the  convention  were  suspended,  and  the 
Baptist  Education  Society  of  the  State  of  Illinois  was 
organized  then  and  there.  A  constitution  was  submitted, 
amended  and  adopted.  Mr.  Peck  was  present,  and  as 
soon  as  the  committee  on  a  form  of  constitution  had 
reported  he  rose  to  speak.  Taking  the  Bible  which  lay 
on  the  pulpit  before  him,  he  read  passage  after  passage, 
which  to  his  clear  vision  served  to  emphasize  the  supreme 
importance  of  trained  leadership  in  the  churches  of  Jesus 
Christ.  He  expounded,  illustrated,  argued,  with  unan- 
swerable logic  and  frequently  with  intense  emotion.  The 
prayers  and  hopes  of  many  years  seemed  to  vibrate  in 
his  voice.  The  present  plea  and  the  teachings  of  his 
whole  period  of  missionary  endeavor  were  thoroughly 
consistent.  The  soul,  the  conscience  and  the  purpose  of 
the  man  spoke  in  his  words  and  thrilled  his  hearers' 
hearts.  It  was  not  the  mere  formal  advocacy  of  a  new 
measure  in  the  interest  of  denominational  progress.  It 
was  the  assembling  and  outpouring  of  many  currents  of 
thought  and  feeling  in  a  flood  of  convincing  eloquence. 


188  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Little  wonder  was  it  that  at  the  close  of  such  an  address 
the  large  congregation  was  in  tears !  Then  spoke  other 
hardy  pioneer  preachers — men  who  had  grown  old  in  the 
service  of  God,  who  knew  little  of  school  life,  little  of 
culture,  less  of  ease,  still  less  of  luxury,  but  who  burned 
with  desire  for  the  ongoing  and  enlargement  of  the  king- 
dom. Their  appeal  was  not  so  much  for  money  or  for 
an  organization  to  disburse  the  same,  as  for  men,  for 
means  of  culture,  for  a  deeper  consecration  on  the  part 
of  the  people.  The  number  of  strong  men  in  the  min- 
istry and  the  number  of  young  men  pressing  forward 
into  the  work  were  lamentably  few.  Looking  forward 
a  little,  it  appears  from  the  second  annual  report  of  the 
Education  Society  that  only  six  students  had  been  re- 
ceived as  beneficiaries.  One  of  these  had  soon  entered 
the  active  pastorate,  four  others  had  been  transferred 
to  the  patronage  of  other  education  societies,  and  only 
two  were  obtaining  aid  from  the  Illinois  Board.1  The 
report  adds:  "If  the  number  of  our  beneficiaries  is  small 
it  is  because  no  more  have  applied  for  aid,  for  as  yet 
we  have  received  every  applicant."  In  view  of  this  fact 
it  declares  the  necessity  of  spreading  abroad  a  knowledge 
of  the  correct  scriptural  principles  in  reference  to  the 
subject  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  of  encouraging 
and  helping  every  young  man  who  should  give  genuine 
evidence  of  a  Divine  call. 

At  the  close  of  the  remarkable  meeting  in  which  the 
Education  Society  had  its  birth,  Mr.  Henry  Headly 
of  Peoria  was  examined,  and  recommended  as  a  bene- 

JOf  the  three  thus  "transferred"  one  was  aided  by  an  organization  having  its 
headquarters  in  Massachusetts,  while  the  others  were  helped  by  the  Northern  Bap- 
tist Education  Society,  which  had  recently  offered  to  pay  thirty  dollars  annually  to 
each  one  of  a  limited  number  of  students  at  Alton  who  should  need  assistance. 
See  the  ffestern  Pioneer  for  September  9,  1836. 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.         189 

ficiary.  Fifty-four  dollars  were  at  once  subscribed,  and 
the  young  man  was  directed  to  enter  the  theological 
seminary  at  Alton  as  soon  as  possible.  The  spirit  of 
harmony  and  deep  Christian  fellowship  which  had  pre- 
vailed expressed  itself  in  the  season  of  handshaking 
which  followed  the  adjournment. 

Another  memorable  meeting  which  went  far  to  establish 
the  Alton  schools  in  the  affections  of  their  constituents 
was  held  in  connection  with  the  sessions  of  the  Blue 
River  Association  during  the  course  of  the  same  year. 
The  Pioneer  was  present,  and  accompanied  the  reading 
of  the  preamble  and  constitution  of  the  Education  Society 
with  some  very  earnest  words  of  explanation  and  exhor- 
tation. Following  this  "Elder"  J.  Bower  addressed  the 
body.  He  lamented  exceedingly  his  own  deficiencies. 
He  was  conscious  of  his  lack  of  that  early  ministerial 
culture  whose  importance  had  been  urged  so  forcibly 
by  the  previous  speaker.  But  he  would  stand  in  no  one's 
way.  He  would  help  forward  the  good  work  by- every 
means  that  he  could  employ.  He  had  already  given  his 
mite  to  aid  a  young  brother  to  obtain  an  education  at 
the  seminary,  and  he  rejoiced  in  the  work  that  was  then 
being  done  by  teachers  and  pupils.  At  this  point  the 
good  old  man  became  so  deeply  affected  that  he  could 
not  continue  speaking,  so  with  tears  rolling  down  his 
cheeks  he  took  his  seat.  Then  Elder  Greenleaf  related 
the  anecdote  of  an  old  minister  in  one  of  the  Eastern 
states  who  had  once  said  on  a  similar  occasion  that  he 
would  be  avenged  on  his  own  ignorance  by  helping  in 
every  way  possible  to  educate  his  younger  and  more 
fortunate  brethren.  After  several  others  had  spoken, 
and  all  in  the  same  grand  and  unselfish  strain,  Elder 
Parks  called  especial  attention  to  the  fact  that  nearly  all 
of  those  who  had  taken  part  in  the  discussion  were  men 


190  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

of  little  or  no  education  themselves.  "This,"  he  con- 
tinued, "is  of  itself  sufficient  evidence  of  the  goodness 
of  the  cause."  And  it  was !  Many  of  these  true  friends 
of  education  were  gifted  with  fine  native  powers.  They 
could  speak  with  rude  eloquence,  and  they  used  in  con- 
scientious fashion  the  noteworthy  influence  which  they 
exerted  in  the  pioneer  days.  Their  kindly  hearts  desired 
for  their  followers  the  blessing  and  the  privilege  which 
they  had  been  denied.  The  spirit  of  these  worthy 
"fathers  in  the  ministry"  has  been  the  real  strength  of 
our  denominational  colleges  both  East  and  West  through- 
out their  years  of  struggle  and  of  early  growth.  Though 
the  occasions  just  described  related  especially  to  the  foun- 
dation of  an  educational  aid  society,  they  undoubtedly 
had  a  tremendous  effect  upon  the  general  life  of  the  Col- 
lege, an  effect  which  could  not  but  issue  in  a  large  fruit- 
age of  deepened  interest  and  more  ardent  loyalty. 

The  creation  of  a  new  society  for  helping  young  min- 
isters in  their  efforts  to  procure  an  education  would  cause 
much  hostile  criticism  today.  There  may  or  may  not  be 
truth  in  the  judgment  that  special  privileges,  money 
grants,  and  perquisites,  in  the  case  of  a  particular  class 
of  Students,  tend  to  lower  the  dignity  of  the  profession 
and  to  rob  the  youth  of  his  self-respect  and  independence. 
If  true,  however,  the  criticism  applies  almost  wholly  to 
the  largely  endowed  graduate  schools  of  theology,  where 
the  students  have  already  had  years  of  academic  culture 
and  discipline,  and  should  be  able  to  make  their  own  way 
without  the  pampering  and  petting  which  beneficiary 
funds  in  such  cases  provide.  But  whatever  may  be  the 
proper  solution  of  the  problem  of  special  aid  to  minis- 
terial students  in  our  day  and  generation,  and  in  flourish- 
ing educational  establishments,  its  entire  legitimacy  at  the 
period  and  under  the  conditions  which  we  have  been 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  191 

studying  cannot  for  a  moment  be  questioned.  When  we 
take  into  account  the  splendid  scholastic  advantages  which 
adorn  the  richer  life  of  today ;  when  we  regard  the  num- 
berless privileges  which  attend  the  student  life,  the  mul- 
tiplication of  opportunities  for  self-help,  and  the  universal 
emphasis  of  educational  values ;  especially  when  we  con- 
sider the  increased  emoluments  of  the  clerical  profession, 
with  its  many  and  manifest  temporal  rewards,  the  gen- 
erous grants  of  the  great  education  societies  to  their  bene- 
ficiaries seem  to  partake  of  the  character  of  an  unneces- 
sary premium  to  those  who  enter  the  ministry  or  an 
unworthy  bribe  to  those  who  may  by  this  means  be 
induced  to  enter. 

The  whole  aspect  of  a  problem  frequently  changes  with 
the  change  of  environment.  The  Illinois  preachers  of 
five  and  sixty  years  ago  did  not  tread  a  path  of  roses. 
There  was  little  inducement  and  every  kind  of  sacrifice 
in  a  ministerial  career.  The  aid  which  the  new  society 
might  be  able  to  bestow  would  be  paltry  at  best.  Its 
justification  would  lie  largely  in  its  necessity  in  the 
cases  where  it  would  be  given.  Here  it  would  prevent 
the  increase  of  debt.  There  it  would  hinder  the  forced 
interruption  of  the  course  of  study.  Again  it  would 
permit  the  purchase  of  a  few  sorely  needed  books.  In 
many  cases  it  would  save  the  half-fed  and  scantily-clad 
student  from  hunger  and  possibly  from  disease.  This 
through  the  years  has  been  the  history  of  the  Illinois  Bap- 
tist Education  Society.  Though  imposture  and  deceit  have 
robbed  it  now  and  then  of  its  funds,  it  has  afforded  sub- 
stantial help  at  critical  periods  in  a  multitude  of  cases. 
The  same  is  true  today.  There  are  many  very  needy,  yet 
most  worthy  and  promising,  students  for  the  ministry, 
who  are  pursuing  their  studies  at  Shurtleff  in  these  later 
days,  who  are  denying  themselves  the  abundant  honors 
which  they  might  win  in  other  professions  and  who  richly 


i$2  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

deserve  the  slight  aid  which  the  Education   Society  is 
able  to  provide  through  the  liberality  of  the  churches. 

The  society  has  always  been  closely  identified  with  the 
interests  of  the  ministerial  students  at  Alton.  A  wise 
move  was  made  at  its  inception  by  embodying  in  its  con- 
stitution a  provision  that  its  meetings  should  be  held  at 
the  time  of  the  assembling  of  the  State  Convention.  By 
this  means  the  general  work  of  the  denomination 
throughout  the  state  and  the  educational  enterprise  were 
more  closely  bound  together,  while  at  every  yearly  gather- 
ing the  needs  of  both  theological  and  collegiate  depart- 
ments were  brought  prominently  before  the  people. 

Yet  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  Education  Society  would 
have  continued  to  exist  during  years  of  financial  stress 
if  its  affairs  had  not  been  carried  forward  with  most 
earnest  persistence  by  two  men  whose  names  stand  today 
for  solid  worth  and  faithful  zeal  in  the  development  of 
Shurtleffs  life  history.  The  brothers  Leverett  were  the 
principal  officers  of  the  society  for  many  years.  Professor 
Washington  Leverett  was  the  secretary,  and  his  annual 
presentation  of  facts  and  needs  kept  the  society  in  its 
proper  place,  at  the  forefront  of  denominational  interest 
and  regard.  Professor  Warren  Leverett,  in  his  position 
as  treasurer,  was  even  more  intimately  identified  with  the 
work.  In  his  relation  to  the  trials  and  struggles  of  the 
ministerial  students  he  was  the  kindest  of  friends.  With 
admirable  judgment  he  disbursed  the  funds  committed 
to  his  care,  and  not  less  by  his  ever-ready  sympathy  than 
by  the  substantial  aid  which  from  time  to  time  he  was 
able  to  give,  did  he  win  the  loving  and  loyal  allegiance 
of  the  students.  When  the  treasury  was  empty  he  fre- 
quently supplied  by  a  personal  gift  some  pressing  need 
which  appealed  to  his  generous  heart,  expecting  and 
receiving  no  return,  save  the  grateful  thanks  of  the  one 
whom  he  had  helped. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF,    1849-1899. 

Lack  of  leaders  in  theological  work — The  Bible  in  the  curriculum — Ruinous  inactivity 
— An  embassy  to  Missouri — The  period  of  silence — Dr.  Read  the  champion 
of  theological  instruction — Effect  of  the  new  impulse — A  strong  school — 
Financial  plans — An  overturning — Dr.  Pattison — Dr.  Mitchell — Theology 
in  later  years. 

Had  Dr.  Going  accepted  the  call  to  the  presidency  of 
the  College  the  seminary  would  undoubtedly  have  re- 
ceived a  large  share  of  his  thoughtful  attention.  He  was 
no  less  anxious  than  Dr.  Peck  for  the  promotion  of  min- 
isterial culture.  One  of  his  friends  said  of  him  that 
more  education,  in  the  ministry  was  eternally  his  theme. 
As  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Newton  Theological 
Seminary  he  aided  materially  in  the  development  of  that 
institution.  He  was  identified  with  the  interests  of  sev- 
eral other  schools  of  higher  learning,  and  in  every  case 
he  directed  the  weight  of  his  influence  toward  the  im- 
provement of  courses  for  ministerial  students.  Had  he 
cast  in  his  lot  with  the  Alton  school  he  would  certainly 
have  advocated  with  vigor  the  enlargement  of  the  meagre 
work  already  begun  in  the  department  of  theology.  As 
it  was,  the  regular  classes  of  the  academic  curriculum 
claimed  the  full  and  constant  attention  of  the,  teachers, 
while  theology  lagged  and  limped. 

The  call  of  Dr.  Going  had  been  all  the  more  urgent 
on  account  of  the  resignation  of  Professor  Colby,  wha 

193 


194  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

had  superintended  the  work  of  the  seminary  for  three 
years.  In  the  absence  of  any  president  or  theological 
teacher  Professor  Washington  Leverett  took  under  his 
personal  direction  the  young  men  who  were  looking  for- 
ward to  the  ministry.  Courses  in  the  study  of  the  Bible 
were  conducted,  as  well  as  a  general  class  in  Christian 
theology ;  but  these  were  regarded  as  supplemental  to  the 
routine  work. 

When  in  1839  the  collegiate  department  was  instituted, 
a  knowledge  of  the  historical  portion  of  the  Greek  New 
Testament  was  named  as  one  of  the  requirements  for 
admission.  Not  long  afterward  the  trustees,  by  a  formal 
vote,  decided  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments  should  be  a  text-book  in  both  the  College 
proper  and  in  the  preparatory  department.  This  measure 
was  taken  in  the  interests  of  a  liberal  culture,  as  the 
statement  clearly  shows :  "The  design  of  the  above  reso- 
lution is  that  the  Scriptures  and  the  grand  pieces  of  the 
Christian  religion  may  be  studied,  which  cannot  be  taken 
to  advocate  the  peculiar  tenets  of  any  evangelical  sect. 
The  extremes  of  sectarian  bigotry  and  infidel  neglect  \vill 
be  avoided." 

In  1840  the  affairs  of  the  theological  department  were 
in  a  sad  state,  bordering  on  total  collapse.  For  five 
years  liabilities  had  been  accumulating.  Professors'  sal- 
aries and  agency  expenses  for  the  first  two  years  of  the 
five  made  it  imperative  that  money  should  be  borrowed, 
and  this  money,  with  interest  accruing  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  per  cent  per  annum,  remained  unpaid.  There 
was  no  productive  endowment,  and  only  a  feeble  and 
fluctuating  income,  dependent  wholly  upon  such  spas- 
modic acts  of  generosity  as  visited  from  time  to  time 
certain  well-disposed  churches  and  individuals.  On  the 
twentieth  of  September,  1837,  Mr.  Colby  had  resigned  his 


REV.    PHILIP    S.    MOXOM,    D.    D. 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.        195 

professorship  of  Christian  theology,  and  returned  with 
his  family  to  the  East.  His  resignation  was  accepted  on 
the  twenty-ninth  of  July,  1840.  During  the  three  years  in- 
tervening, the  board  of  control  held  not  a  single  meeting. 
Thus  the  theological  department,  moribund,  professorless, 
without  income,  and  governed  by  an  overdeliberate  and 
very  drowsy  Board  of  Trustees,  needed  a  severe  shock 
of  some  sort  to  arouse  it  to  a  career  of  dutiful  energy. 
The  immediate  cause  of  its  revival  and  survival  was  a 
movement  which  its  friends  found  to  be  in  course  of 
active  prosecution  in  the  neighboring  state  of  Missouri 
for  the  founding  of  a  theological  seminary  in  that  section. 
Had  the  school  awakened  from  its  lethargy  a  year  or 
two"  earlier  the  denomination  in  both  states,  and  possibly 
in  several  other  western  states,  would  in  all  probability 
have  settled  upon  Alton  as  a  site  for  a  theological  insti- 
tution to  which  all  the  West  would  have  been  tributary. 
As  it  was,  quick  and  resolute  measures  were  taken. 
Mr.  Rodgers,  the  pastor  at  Upper  Alton,  was  appointed 
to  visit  the  educational  convention  and  general  associa- 
tion, soon  to  meet  in  the  sister  state,  and  to  procure  the 
co-operation  of  the  churches  represented  in  those  bodies, 
in  the  full  establishment  of  a  theological  seminary  that 
should  serve  the  needs  of  both  states,  but  that  should  be 
located  at  Upper  Alton.  In  the  favorable  and  attractive 
propositions  with  which  the  members  of  the  Alton  Board 
hedged  about  and  buttressed  this  request  they  showed 
commendable  discretion.  Mr.  Rodgers  was  empowered 
to  say  that  if  Missouri  should  fall  into  line,  and  if  the 
amalgamated  interests  should  agree  upon  Upper  Alton 
as  the  site  for  the  school,  many  concessions  would  be 
granted.  The  name  was  to  be  "The  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary  of  Illinois  and  Missouri."  The  denomination  in 
Missouri  was  to  have  the  privilege  of  appointing  one- 


196  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

half  of  the  trustees.  The  Alton  Board  would  transfer 
to  the  new  management  their  lands,  buildings,  library 
and  other  property.  If  the  Missouri  Baptists  would  agree 
to  raise  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  endowment  of  a  chair 
of  Christian  theology  they  might  choose  the  professor 
who  should  occupy  the  same,  provided  they  should  select 
"a  Baptist  minister  of  sufficient  literary  and  theological 
acquirements,  sound  in  the  faith  and  of  good  standing  in 
the  churches."  It  was  also  to  be  stipulated  that  if  for 
any  reason  the  brethren  across  the  border  should  in  course 
of  time  deem  it  expedient  to  erect  an  institution  of  their 
own,  the  partnership  between  the  two  states  should  forth- 
with be  dissolved.  In  such  event  Missouri  should  have 
its  own  full  quota  of  endowment,  together  with  its  pro- 
portionate share  of  any  property  which  might  have  come 
into  the  possession  of  the  trustees  during  the  period  of 
co-operative  work. 

After  acting  upon  Mr.  Colby's  resignation,  and  draw- 
ing up  with  much  care  the  foregoing  propositions,  the 
Board  adjourned  for  supper.  In  the  evening  they,  with 
a  large  audience  of  College  people  and  townsfolk,  met 
in  the  Baptist  Church  and  listened  to  an  address  on 
"Education"  by  Dr.  John  Russell,  then  of  Bluffdale, 
whose  interest  in  the  College  had  not  abated,  though  he 
no  longer  taught  in  its  classrooms. 

The  substance  of  the  overtures  of  Illinois  for  a  closer 
union  in  the  conduct  of  theological  instruction  seemed 
eminently  fair  and  honorable.  But  alas  for  human  plan- 
ning! Mr.  Rodgers  went  forth  with  hope  and  returned 
in  sorrow.  He  found  the  Missouri  brethren  radiant 
with  the  boundless  enthusiasm  of  a  new  undertaking, 
which  seemed  to  promise  magnificent  returns.  They 
were  absolutely  loyal  to  the  doctrine  of  state  rights. 
They  were  intensely  devoted  to  the  idea  of  church  inde- 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  197 

pendency.  They  were  anxious  neither  to  sell  their  birth- 
right nor  to  barter  their  opportunity.  They  received  the 
ambassador  with  great  respect  and  allowed  him  ample 
time  for  the  presentation  of  his  cause.  They  then 
declined,  both  speedily  and  courteously,  to  entertain 
for  a  single  moment  the  idea  of  union.  They  had  already 
formed  an  education  society,  and  they  had  fully  decided 
to  establish  a  seminary  of  their  own.  Does  it  not  always 
take  two  willing  ones  to  make  a  fair  bargain?  And  in 
this  case  one  was  quite  unwilling,  so  all  negotiations 
came  abruptly  and  at  once  to  a  conclusion. 

The  agitation  in  Missouri  had  operated  well,  however, 
in  starting  the  Alton  Seminary  from  its  protracted  slum- 
ber, and  though  it  still  went  on  its  way  wearily,  though 
it  still  limped  in  weak  and  halting  fashion,  it  had  been 
saved  from  utter  extinction.  In  the  course  of  the  very 
meeting  at  which  Mr.  Rodgers  submitted  the  report  of 
his  visit  and  announced  the  failure  of  his  mission,  Pro- 
fessors Leverett  and  Newman  were  appointed  to  give 
regular  theological  instruction  to  any  students  desiring 
it.  In  the  year  following,  which  was  the  first  year  of 
Dr.  Sherwood's  presidency,  the  legislative  restriction 
which  had  divorced  the  arts  department  from  the  semi- 
nary w?as  removed,  thus  allowing  the  theological  course 
to  be  made  an  integral  part  of  the  College  work.  The 
president  filled  the  chair  of  theology,  and  during  the  year 
four  students  enrolled  themselves  in  the  department.  In 
the  following  year  none  of  these  returned  to  continue 
their  studies  and  although  a  dozen  ministerial  students 
were  enrolled,  not  a  single  one  was  qualified  to  enter 
upon  the  distinctively  theological  course. 

And  now  for  sixteen  years  hardly  a  whisper  is  heard 
concerning  a  school  or  department  of  theology  at  Shurt- 
leff.  All  instruction  is  limited  to  certain  classroom  work 


198  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

in  theology,  given  as  an  extra  subject,  and  without  tui- 
tion charges,  to  whatever  students  should  decide  to 
undertake  it.  In  the  second  year  of  Dr.  Read's  incum- 
bency the  long  silence  is  broken  by  the  announcement 
that  the  president  has  arranged  with  eminent  clergymen 
from  different  parts  of  the  state  to  deliver  lectures  to 
the  young  ministers  during  the  winter  term.  For  five 
years  these  lectures,  with  such  special  instruction  in  sys- 
tematic theology  and  the  general  study  of  the  English 
Bible  as  the  president  could  find  time  to  give,  consti- 
tuted the  alpha  and  omega  of  the  work  in  the  depart- 
ment; but  it  reaffirmed  a  half- forgotten  policy,  while  it 
prepared  the  way  for  enlargement  of  effort  in  the  future. 

Dr.  Read  was  a  man  of  deep  spiritual  insight,  pro- 
foundly interested  in  the  growth  of  the  religious  life  of 
the  state,  solicitous  ever  for  the  welfare  of  the  churches. 
Quietly  and  without  intermittence  he  advocated  the  inter- 
ests of  theological  instruction  during  all  the  early  years 
of  his  administration.  His  labors,  with  the  increasing 
demand  of  the  people  for  a  wiser  and  more  competent 
leadership  in  spiritual  matters,  forced  at  last  the  enun- 
ciation of  a  positive  policy.  The  way  was  open  and  the 
times  were  ripe  for  decisive  action.  The  theological 
undertaking  in  Missouri  had  long  since  given  up  the 
ghost.  Within  a  radius  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
from  Alton  there  was  no  Baptist  school  for  the  training 
of  ministers,  while  in  this  territory  there  were  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  thousand  Baptists.  The  population 
had  grown  with  marvellous  rapidity.  Illinois  alone  con- 
tained two  million  people  within  its  borders.  The  cities 
of  St.  Louis  and  Chicago  were  fast  becoming  the  centres 
of  a  many-sided  metropolitan  activity.  Shurtleff  seemed 
eminently  fitted  to  lead  in  the  new  movement. 

The  aim  of  its  founders,  in  seeking  to  provide  for  the 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  199 

proper  training  of  young  ministers,  had  been  woefully 
neglected.  But  the  school  was  now  in  a  healthy  state 
and  able  to  supply  the  lack  which  had  hitherto  existed. 
For  eight  years  the  average  attendance  of  students  in 
College  and  academy  had  been  one  hundred  and 
twelve,  of  whom  nearly  one-third  were  expect- 
ing to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  Baptist  churches. 
Thirty  of  these  young  ministers  were  now  study- 
ing at  the  institution.  The  professors  were  and 
had  always  been  devout  men,  and  with  one  exception 
had  been  adherents  of  the  Baptist  faith.  There  was, 
therefore,  room  for  a  strong  appeal  to  the  constituency, 
based  on  the  needs  of  the  hour,  the  present  strength  of 
the  school,  its  too  long  neglected  but  fundamental  aim, 
and  its  undeviating  loyalty  to  denominational  interests. 

On  the  third  of  January,  1863,  the  trustees  bowed  to  the 
weight  of  accumulating  argument  and  bravely  took  up 
arms  against  the  difficulties  which  opposed  their  path. 
In  a  series  of  resolutions  they  affirmed  the  urgent  need 
of  adequate  theological  instruction  and  declared  their 
intention  of  establishing  at  once  a  professorship  of  Bib- 
lical Studies  and  Sacred  Rhetoric.  The  resolutions 
embodied  also  a  call  to  Rev.  E.  C.  Mitchell  to  assume 
the  incumbency  of  the  new  chair,  his  active  duties  to  begin 
just  as  soon  as  a  permanent  endowment  of  fifteen  thou- 
sand dollars  had  been  secured  for  the  support  of  the 
department.  Mr.  Mitchell  went  into  the  field  immedi- 
ately as  a  special  agent  of  the  College  to  collect  this 
endowment.  He  was  granted  a  salary  of  sixteen  dollars 
a  week  and  travelling  expenses,  but  all  of  this  save 
the  first  one  hundred  dollars  was  to  be  paid  from 
the  amounts  which  he  should  obtain  in  the  course 
of  his  canvass.  Thus  the  College  had  little  responsibility, 
the  bulk  of  the  burden  falling  upon  Mr.  Mitchell's  shoul- 


200  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ders.  In  August  the  Rev.  Harrison  Daniels,  of  New 
York,  was  engaged  as  College  agent  at  a  stipulated  salary 
of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  a  year,  though  Mr.  Mitchell 
was  expected  to  continue  his  services. 

When  the  autumn  of  1863  arrived  a  number  of  young 
men  surprised  the  authorities  by  presenting  themselves 
as  candidates  for  theological  studies.  What  should  be 
done  with  them?  The  situation  was  perplexing.  It 
seemed  unwise  to  turn  them  away,  so  Mr.  Mitchell  solved 
the  problem  by  agreeing  to  begin  the  work  of  instruction 
at  once,  and  devote  his  spare  time  to  the  prosecution  of 
his  share  of  the  agency  work.  The  permanent  endow- 
ment still  being  in  large  part  unsecured,  the  trustees  at 
stated  intervals  of  three  months,  and  their  executive 
committee  between  whiles,  aided  by  the  active  co-opera- 
tion of  the  two  agents,  wrestled  with  the  problem  of 
ways  and  means.  Quite  liberal  contributions  were  made 
by  friends  in  Illinois  and  a  few  donations  were  received 
from  New  England,  so  that  one  year  and  eight  months 
after  the  passage  of  the  resolution  establishing  the  chair 
the  announcement  was  made  that  seven  thousand  dollars 
had  been  obtained,  outside  of  all  the  expenses  of  collec- 
tion. 

The  work  of  the  year  in  the  classroom  had  been  highly 
gratifying.  The  students  were  enthusiastic  over  the  new 
departure.  Professor  Mitchell  had  won  the  love  and 
confidence  of  the  people.  Yet  the  situation  was  not  in 
every  way  encouraging.  One  chair  was  less  than  half 
endowed.  Perilous  conditions  in  the  political  life  of  the 
time  added  anxiety  and  tri^l  to  the  consideration  of  edu- 
cational as  of  all  other  questions.  Should  the  College 
retrench  or  advance?  It  was  decided,  and  very  emphati- 
cally, under  Dr.  Read's  leadership,  that  retreat  meant 
ruin,  and  that  enlargement  was  the  only  wise  course. 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  2OL 

Consequently  Professor  Mitchell's  services  were  retained, 
and  Rev.  Robert  E.  Pattison,  D.  D.,  then  of  Worces- 
ter, Mass.,  but  previously  president  of  Colby  Uni- 
versity, was  called  to  the  professorship  of  system- 
atic theology.  He  replied  that  he  would  come  if  his 
support  for  five  years  could  be  guaranteed.  Again 
through  Dr.  Read's  instrumentality  Mr.  Elijah  Gove,  of 
Quincy,  consented  to  become  responsible  for  the 
amount  of  one  thousand  dollars  a  year  for  five  years, 
and  Dr.  Pattison  became  a  member  of  the  faculty.  His 
coming  was  an  event  indeed.  He  had  passed  a  little 
beyond  middle  life,  but  hfwas  full  of  energy  and  hopeful- 
ness. His  years  of  distinguished  service  in  eastern 
schools  and  his  wide  acquaintance  with  men  and  affairs 
in  the  denomination  fitted  him  in  an  eminent  degree  for 
the  important  work  to  which  he  came. 

There  seemed  promise  now  that  the  school  of  theology 
at  Shurtleff  would  become  the  rallying  place  and  the  train- 
ing ground  for  all  the  Baptist  ministerial  students  of  the 
West.  It  was  the  only  institution  of  the  kind  in  the  entire 
Mississippi  valley.  The  Missouri  theological  venture  had 
vanished  into  thin  air  years  before,  after  various  vicissi- 
tudes. It  was  succeeded,  when  war  times  were  over,  by  a 
school  or  department  which  was  little  better  than  a  name. 
The  seminary  at  Covington,  established  as  a  result  of  the 
meeting  of  western  Baptists  in  1834,  grew  to  great  pro- 
portions quickly.  Being  in  Kentucky,  it  had  the  South 
behind  it;  being  but  a  stone's  throw  from  Cincinnati, 
it  received  the  stalwart  support  of  Ohio  and  the  North. 
Its  location  was  in  every  way  strategic.  Its  lands  grew 
rapidly  in  value.  It  was  highly  favored  in  the  character 
of  its  faculty.  For  thirteen  years  following  1840,  the 
date  of  its  charter,  it  accomplished  a  good  and  ever- 
widening  work.  There  was  a  straining  at  the  cords, 


202  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

however.  North  and  South  were  drifting  apart.  The 
tension  became  greater  and  greater.  A  school  in  which 
North  and  South  were  bound  together  could  not  remain 
long  in  harmony  with  itself  or  with  its  mutually  antag* 
onistic  constituents.  Dissensions  multiplied;  the  bond 
of  union  snapped  asunder;  and  the  school  was  wrecked. 
Funds,  lands  and  equipment  were  divided  between  the 
Northern  and  Southern  representatives  on  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  The  Northerners  invested  their  share  in  the 
Fairmont  Theological  Seminary,  long  since  extinct.  The 
Southerners  used  their  portion  in  the  foundation  of  the 
Western  Baptist  Theological  Institute  at  Georgetown, 
Ky.,  a  school  which  at  a  later  day  became  a  department 
of  Georgetown  College. 

Thus  there  was  free  for  the  new  department  at  Shurt- 
leff  an  extended  field  of  operations.  It  was  strong  in 
its  faculty  at  home,  strong  in  its  opportunities  abroad. 
In  Dr.  Pattison's  first  year  at  the  College  there  were 
eight  students  in  the  middle  class  and  thirteen  in  the 
junior  class.  Eight  of  these  were  full  college  graduates, 
and  six  others  had  taken  more  or  less  work  in  regular 
College  classes.  President  Read  and  Dr.  Bulkley  were 
giving  a  large  part  of  their  time  to  instruction  in  theology, 
so  that  the  department  had  four  instructors,  while  there 
were  six  in  the  College  proper. 

During  the  two  following  years  the  theological  school 
enjoyed  its  period  of  greatest  popularity.  Its  standards 
were  high,  its  teachers  inspiring,  its  students  industrious, 
its  outlook  promising.  As  is  often  the  case  when  the 
best  work  is  being  done,  there  is  little  to  employ  the  pen 
of  the  historian.  The  agencies  which  quietly  and  effect- 
ively were  making  manhood  and  preparing  a  goodly  body 
of  youth  for  active  ministerial  service,  were  under  the 
control  of  a  most  efficient  corps  of  professors.  The  stu- 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  205 

dents  of  that  prosperous  period  today  are  scattered  from 
Maine  to  California,  and  afar  in  missionary  lands.  The 
number  who  had  the  ministry  in  view,  in  all  departments, 
reached  at  one  time  during  the  course  of  those  two  years 
a  total  of  seventy-five,  more  than  had  ever  before  enrolled 
themselves  or  have  ever  done  so  since  in  any  single  year. 

The  summer  of  1867  was  signalized  by  two  incidents 
in  the  history  of  the  College,  which  gave  promise  of  still 
further  enlargement  of  the  work  and  a  comparative 
assurance  of  its  permanency.  One  of  these  was  the 
decision  communicated  to  Dr.  Mitchell  by  the  Hon.  J. 
Warren  Merrill,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  that  upon  certain 
conditions  he  would  furnish  an  endowment  of  twenty 
thousand  dollars  for  the  chair  of  biblical  interpreta- 
tion. The  other  was  an  understanding  between  these 
two  gentlemen— Dr.  Mitchell  and  Mr.  Merrill — and 
the  Rev.  Baron  Stow,  D.  D.,  of  Boston,  the  distinguished 
pastor  of  the  Rowe  Street  Baptist  Church,  that  he 
would  accept  an  invitation  to  become  professor  of  pas- 
toral duties  in  the  theological  seminary,  with  a  pledge 
on  the  part  of  Hezekiah  S.  Chase  and  Charles  S.  Ken- 
dall that  they,  with  other  members  of  Rcrvve  Street 
Church,  would  provide  twenty  thousand  dollars  for 
the  endowment  of  his  chair.  The  correspondence  which 
followed  on  this  subject  developed  a  very  strong  inclina- 
tion on  the  part  of  Dr.  Stow  to  accept  the  position,  and 
a  full  expression  on  his  part  of  his  ideas  and  wishes 
respecting  the  conduct  of  the  school  and  his  hopes  for 
the  future.  Later,  however,  obstacles  appeared  in  con- 
nection with  domestic  affairs  which  finally  defeated  the 
project,  and  Dr.  Stow's  death  occurred  within  a  short 
time. 

It  was  not  more  than  a  year  after  this  that  a  new 
possibility  opened,  which  seemed  to  promise  a  great 


204  fHE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

future  for  the  theological  work.  Through  the  influence 
of  Mr.  Merrill  and  Dr.  Stow  the  trustees  of  the  College 
had  decided  to  give  the  theological  department  an  inde- 
pendent existence  by  obtaining  for  it  a  separate  charter 
under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Illinois  and  by  organizing 
a  separate  Board  of  Trustees.  The  motive  of  this  change 
of  policy  was,  in  the  main,  to  give  the  theological 
seminary  a  broader  scope  without  removing  its  working 
centre  from  Upper  AJton,  and  to  enlist  in  its  support  the 
Baptist  strength  of  St.  Louis  and  Missouri  for  a  con- 
solidation with  Illinois  of  its  theological  department.  The 
latter  object  was  very  similar  to  that  which  had  been 
undertaken  in  the  earlier  period  without  success.  While 
these  matters  were  under  consideration  Dr.  Mitchell 
received  an  invitation  from  the  Hon.  William  McPherson, 
of  Missouri,  to  come  and  meet  Dr.  J.  B.  Jeter,  of  Virginia, 
at  his  office  in  St.  Louis.  In  that  interview  Mr.  McPher- 
son read  to  the  others  a  letter  from  himself  addressed  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Broadus,  then  of  the  theological  school  at 
Greenville,  S.  C.,  in  which  he  expressed  the  wish  that  Dr. 
Broadus  would  come  and  join  them  in  the  enterprise  of 
forming  one  central  theological  seminary  for  the  West, 
and  offering  to  furnish  a  quarter  of  a  million  dollars  for 
its  endowment.  His  proposal,  it  is  needless  to  say,  was 
gladly  approved  and  its  terms  gratefully  accepted  so  far 
as  Dr.  Jeter  and  Dr.  Mitchell  could  personally  exercise 
any  influence  upon  it. 

Shortly  after  this  interview  the  exigencies  of  financial 
needs  required  Dr.  Mitchell's  presence  in  the  East,  and  he 
finally  devoted  the  whole  school  year  to  financial  efforts 
which  were  fairly  successful,  securing  pledges  in  money 
and  property  of  about  ten  thousand  dollars.  After  ac- 
complishing this  he  spent  the  remainder  of  the  spring  and 
summer  in  a  trip  in  Egypt  and  Palestine,  for  purposes  of 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  205 

study,  and  to  fit  himself  better  for  his  life's  work.  No 
communications  reached  him  which  were  very  informing 
with  regard  to  the  progress  of  things  at  Alton  during  his 
absence.  It  was  not  until  he  reached  home  in  September, 
1869,  that  there  came  to  his  knowledge  the  extraordinary 
change  which  had  come  over  the  theological  enterprise ;  a 
change  which  illustrated  in  a  signal  manner  the  contrast 
which  sometimes  appears  between  the  shapings  of  the 
best-cherished  purpose  under  the  guidance  of  human  wis- 
dom and  the  imperative  orderings  of  Divine  Providence. 

Under  the  advice  of  one  in  whose  wise  and  efficient 
leadership  they  had  ever  been  accustomed  to  place  im- 
plicit confidence,  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  College 
were  induced  to  rescind  the  action  taken  the  previous 
year,  which  authorized  the  separation  of  the  theological 
school  from  the  collegiate  department.  By  this  procedure 
they  forfeited  the  conditional  pledge  of  an  endowment 
fund  from  Mr.  Merrill,  and  compelled  the  resignation  of 
Dr.  Pattison  and  five  active  members  of  the  Board.  These 
events  also  brought  about  the  retirement  of  President 
Read  himself  and  resulted  in  the  practical  close  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  and  the  transfer  later  of  Professors 
Mitchell  and  Pattison  to  the  newly  organized  Theological 
Seminary  at  Chicago. 

It  is  far  from  probable  that  there  is  anything  to  be 
regretted  in  the  purpose  or  the  methods  by  which  that 
incipient  work  at  Alton  was  prosecuted.  That  there  was 
pressing  need  of  a  theological  school  in  the  West  at  the 
time  this  was  begun,  cannot  be  doubted.  It  is  equally 
plain  that  at  that  time  no  other  opportunity  or  position 
for  such  a  school  was  open.  Careful  consultation  with 
the  leading  men  of  Chicago  in  1863  satisfied  every  one 
that  the  attempt  then  was  impossible.  No  help  could 
have  been  expected  from  the  leading  Baptists  of  that 


206  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

city.  As  things  afterward  turned  in  the  fortunes  of 
Chicago  University,  it  is  obvious  that  five  or  even  ten 
years  later  they  might  not  have  been  prepared  to  take 
any  such  steps.  The  inauguration  of  the  enterprise  at 
Alton,  with  its  rapid  growth  and  apparent  promise,  un- 
doubtedly had  an  influence  in  hastening  the  foundation 
of  a  similar  school  in  Chicago. 

The  days  of  Dr.  Pattison  and  Dr.  Mitchell  were  days 
of  strength,  days  long  to  be  remembered.  Even  today 
the  very  name  of  Robert  E.  Pattison  suggests  sound 
learning  and  sturdy  leadership  in  Baptist  educational  en- 
terprises. It  is  singular  to  notice  that  he  prepared  for 
college  under  the  tutelage  of  two  men  who  were  inti- 
mately identified  with  Rock  Spring  and  Shurtleff  in  the 
earliest  years — Rev.  Joshua  Bradley,  then  principal  of 
Middlebury  Academy,  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Going,  then 
pastor  at  Worcester,  Mass.  Dr.  Pattison  was  born  in 
Benson,  Vermont,  in  August,  1800;  he  graduated  at 
Amherst  College  in  1826;  he  taught  for  a  year  at  Colum- 
bian College  in  Washington,  and  in  1828  he  became  pro- 
fessor of  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy  at  Water- 
ville  College,  in  Maine.  A  year  later  he  accepted  a  call 
to  take  charge  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Salem,  Mass., 
and  from  there,  in  the  following  year,  he  went  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  First  Church,  Providence,  the  oldest  and,  in 
in  many  respects,  the  most  famous  Baptist  church  in 
America.  Six  years  later  he  went  to  the  presidency  of 
Waterville  College.  Twice  he  occupied  that  position ; 
twice  he  was  pastor  of  the  First  Church  in  Providence; 
for  some  time  he  was  home  secretary  of  the  Missionary 
Union.  He  had  also  been  a  professor  at  Newton  and 
the  president  of  the  Theological  Institution  at  Covington. 

Warned  by  impaired  health,  he  had  sought  rest  with 
his  family  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  after  the  close  of  his 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  2O/ 

second  period  of  service  at  Waterville.  Then  the  call 
came  to  him  from  the  West,  very  strongly  bulwarked 
by  the  urgent  appeals  of  many  men  who  were  friends 
alike  of  himself  and  ShurtleiT.  The  matter  was  put  in  a 
way  that  reached  his  heart.  The  theological  department 
had  no  funds,  no  buildings,  but  a  great  opportunity. 
There  were  twelve  students,  who  had  finished  a  year 
of  study  under  Dr.  Mitchell  and  were  now  anxious  to 
begin  the  study  of  systematic  theology.  At  so  critical 
a  time  it  was  necessary  that  the  strongest  man  available 
should  be  obtained.  The  future  of  the  department  would 
thus  be  insured.  Would  he  not  allow  them  to  extend  a 
call  to  him?  Would  he  not  even  make  a  sacrifice  to 
meet  their  great  need?  He  decided  that  he  would,  and 
the  sacrifice  was  a  really  severe  one.  He  came  to  a 
meagre  and  uncertain  stipend,  leaving  cherished  friends 
and  comfortable  circumstances.  He  was  by  no  means  a 
young  man,  having  passed  the  age  of  sixty-four,  but  he 
loved  the  Lord's  work,  he  was  youthful  in  spirit,  and  he 
had  an  irrepressible  activity. 

He  wrought  royally  at  Shurtleff.  His  presence  was  a 
source  of  enthusiasm,  his  words  an  enkindling  flame,  his 
classroom  a  central  fire,  where  every  earnest  student 
found  both  light  and  heat  for  intellect  and  heart.  After 
his  four  grand  years  of  labor  he  went  to  the  Chicago 
University,  where  he  was  for  a  time  acting  president. 
He  died  in  1874. 

Dr.  Mitchell  was  also  a  man  of  marked  personality  and 
untiring  energy.  He  graduated  at  Waterville  and  at  New- 
ton and  held  pastorates  at  Calais,  Me.,  Brockport,  N.  Y., 
and  Rockford,  111.,  before  coming  to  Shurtleff.  After 
teaching  for  seven  years  in  Chicago,  he  became  professor 
of  Hebrew  in  Regent's  Park  College,  London.  He  was 
afterward  president  of  the  Baptist  Theological  College  in 


208  '  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Paris,  France,  and  returned  to  America  in  1882  to  assume 
the  presidency  of  Roger  Williams  University,  at  Nashville. 
From  there  he  went  to  New  Orleans,  as  president  of 
Leland  University,  remaining  there  for  the  last  thirteen 
years  of  his  life.  He  was  chosen  as  the  lecturer  before 
the  Lowell  Institute,  Boston,  in  1884.  He  published  sev- 
eral valuable  volumes,  amongst  them  "The  Critical 
Handbook,"  which  has  been  widely  used  as  a  textbook  in 
colleges  and  theological  seminaries  for  many  years. 

Though  Dr.  Read  opposed  the  policy  of  erecting  the 
theological  department  into  a  distinct  and  separate  insti- 
tution, it  must  never  be  forgotten  that  this  branch  of  the 
work  owed  its  renewal  of  life  to  his  interest  and  zeal. 
He  was  also  ready  at  every  opportunity  to  emphasize 
the  larger  life  of  the  institution,  and  in  a  quiet  way,  by 
constantly  extending  his  circle  of  acquaintances  and 
friends,  he  caused  the  college  in  all  its  activities  to  assume 
life  and  being  in  the  minds  of  the  people.  He  filled  a 
large  place  in  the  denomination. 

The  development  of  the  theological  department  has 
been  traced  at  this  stage  in  the  history  of  events  be- 
cause it  was  under  the  administration  of  President  Read 
that  its  work  was  most  "prosperous  and  its  importance 
most  widely  recognized.  Nevertheless  the  removal  of 
Dr.  Pattison  and  Dr.  Mitchell  and  the  subsequent  with- 
drawal of  Dr.  Read,  though  a  severe  and  stunning  blow, 
by  no  means  caused  a  total  collapse  of  all  activities.  A  re- 
action soon  set  in.  Friends  of  the  school  throughout  Cen- 
tral and  Southern  Illinois,  sincerely  anxious  that  the  hopes 
of  the  fathers  should  not  go  unfulfilled,  rallied  their  forces 
right  nobly.  The  faculty  was  reorganized.  Dr.  Bulk- 
ley  taught  church  history ;  Rev.  N.  M.  Wood,  the  pastor 
of  the  Upper  Alton  Baptist  Church,  took  Dr.  Pattison's 
place  as  professor  of  systematic  theology,  and  Rev.  J.  M. 


THEOLOGY  AT  SHURTLEFF.  209 

Stifler  succeeded  Dr.  Mitchell  in  the  department  of  bibli- 
cal literature  and  interpretation.  For  several  years  most 
excellent  work  was  done.  After  the  resignation  of  Dr. 
Wood  and  Professor  Stifler,  Dr.  Kendrick's  policy  was 
simply  to  use,  in  a  wise  and  conscientious  manner,  the 
trust  funds  which  had  been  expressly  designated  for 
theological  purposes,  in  furtherance  of  the  best  interests 
of  the  ministerial  students.  Classes  have  been  held  with- 
out the  intermission  of  a  single  year,  and  at  least  one  of 
the  professors  has  always  devoted  the  most  of  his  time 
to  the  instruction  of  students  in  this  department. 
By  this  means  a  large  number  of  students,  who  were 
denied  the  privilege  of  attending  a  theological  seminary, 
have  received  sound  instruction  in  branches  of  knowl- 
edge quite  necessary  for  a  clergyman  to  understand,  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  their  academic  training.  Others, 
again,  have  been  introduced  in  a  helpful  way  to  the  study 
of  subjects  which  they  have  followed  more  exhaustively 
in  their  years  of  graduate  work  at  a  fully  equipped 
theological  school. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

TRANSITION  YEARS,    1870-1872. 

"Gove  University" — Tokens  of  progress — Co-education — President   Kendrick— - 
The  inauguration — The  commencement  festivities  of  1872. 

Apart  from  the  swift  decline  of  the  theological  work, 
Shurtleff  was  in  a  prosperous  condition  when  Dr.  Read 
left.  This  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  the  trustees  were 
maturing  plans  for  the  elevation  of  the  College  into  a 
university.  Numerous  conferences  were  held  with  the 
retiring  president  before  his  departure,  and  a  plan  was 
published  and  circulated  at  the  June  meeting  of  the 
Board.  According  to  this  plan  it  was  deemed  feasible 
and  advisable  to  adopt  a  university  organization  similar 
to  that  in  vogue  at  Cornell  and  elsewhere,  arranged  in 
several  colleges,  each  embracing  a  different  department, 
with  its  separate  dean  and  faculty,  but  all  under  the 
government  of  one  president,  one  chancellor  or  regent 
and  one  Board  of  Trustees.  In  view  of  the  munificent 
benefactions  of  Elijah  Gove,  it  was  recommended  that 
the  new  organization  be  known  as  "Gove  University." 
It  was  intended  that  it  should  embrace  the  Shurtleff 
College  of  Arts  and  Sciences ;  the  Female  College  of  Arts 
and  Sciences;  the  College  of  the  Bible,  to  include  the 
theological  department;  the  College  of  Law,  to  embrace 
the  law  school  which  had  been  advocated  by  Hon.  Cyrus 
Edwards ;  the  Industrial  College  and  the  Academy.  With 
the  example  of  Cornell  still  before  him,  the  chairman 

210 


TRANSITION  YEARS.  211 

of  the  committee  on  the  proposed  university,  Mr.  W.  C. 
Flagg,  affirmed  in  his  report  that  "the  time  has  passed 
by,  I  hope  and  believe,  when  it  is  necessary  to  rely 
upon  sectarian  feeling  to  build  up  and  support  colleges 
or  universities  for  the  promotion  of  liberal  culture.  Ad- 
mitting the  gratitude  due  to  the  denominations  that  have 
nurtured  these  institutions  through  a  period  when  no 
general  benefactions  would  have  given  them  support,  I 
still  submit  that  a  wise  and  liberal  policy  demands  that 
we  should  not  be  tenacious  of  their  sectarian  allegiance." 

The  plan  very  wisely  called  attention  to  the  necessity 
for  the  widening  of  the  courses  in  the  natural  sciences. 
The  advisability  of  establishing  colleges  of  agriculture 
and  business  were  also  considered.  The  introduction  of 
the  elective  system  in  an  extreme  form  was  advocated. 
Finally  and  emphatically,  the  need  of  an  immediate  effort 
to  secure  an  endowment  of  one  million  dollars  was  por- 
trayed. The  report  concluded  with  the  exhortation  and 
warning  that  "in  this  pleasant  town  and  beneath  these 
academic  shades,  if  we  build  not  the  future  home  of  a  uni- 
versity as  broad  and  catholic  as  the  political  creed  of  our 
country,  it  will  be  because  we  are  not  equal  to  the  occa- 
sion." 

The  idea  of  a  university  with  many  departments  and 
schools  was  not  altogether  a  new  one  at  Shurtleff.  Mr. 
Edwards  had  hoped  and  labored  for  some  time  to  establish 
a  law  department,  and  to  make  such  a  department  the 
initiatory  step  in  the  development  of  a  full-fledged  uni- 
versity. It  had  been  ascertained  in  the  previous  year 
that  a  large  building  in  Alton  could  be  purchased  on  very 
favorable  terms  and  that  able  lawyers  and  jurists  in  the 
vicinity  were  willing  to  accept  professorships  on  condi- 
tion that  suitable  quarters  could  be  secured.  Mr.  Ed- 
wards, though  much  advanced  in  years,  was  persuaded 


212  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

to  undertake  an  agency  in  behalf  of  the  new  department, 
in  which  he  had  shown  so  deep  an  interest.  For  various 
reasons  the  entire  movement  failed  of  success,  and  neither 
a  law  school  nor  a  university  with  many  colleges  greeted 
the  vision  of  the  hopeful  friends  of  Shurtleff .  The  scheme 
was  Utopian  and  chimerical.  It  never  received  the  hearty 
endorsement  of  the  majority  of  the  prudent  business  men 
on  the  Board,  yet  it  afforded  a  vivid  illustration  of  the 
glorious  dreams  which  sometimes  captivate  the  minds 
of  those  who  live  in  an  unreal  future  rather  than  in  a 
practical  present.  These  dreams  paid  no  pressing  debt. 
Instead  of  advancing  steadily  and  safely,  step  by  step, 
at  this  important  juncture,  when  things  in  general  were 
in  excellent  condition  for  a  quiet,  but  energetic,  forward 
movement,  the  trustees  gave  their  time  and  thought  to 
the  visionary  scheme  of  a  great  university,  which  appar- 
ently was  to  spring,  full-grown,  into  splendid  being.  By 
their  course  in  this  matter,  as  well  as  by  their  opposition  to 
the  full  integration  of  the  theological  school,  they  alien- 
ated the  sympathy  of  some  of  the  strongest  members  of 
their  body.  These  men  preferred  to  resign  their  official 
position  rather  than  undertake  a  plan,  which  at  that 
period  seemed  to  them  but  a  "Castle  in  Spain."  It  is  easy 
to  build  universities  on  paper. 

Immediately  upon  the  withdrawal  of  Dr.  Read  the 
Board  appointed  Dr.  Bulkley  acting  president.  The  need 
for  ampler  endowments  led  him  almost  immediately  after 
his  appointment  to  enter  the  field  in  search  of  contribu- 
tions. In  this  effort  he  was  seconded  by  Rev.  Harrison 
Daniels,  the  agent  of  earlier  vears.  Dr.  Fairman  was 
appointed  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the  School  at  home, 
with  the  title  of  president  pro  tempore,  while  Dr.  Bulkley 
sought  to  advance  its  interests  abroad.  The  number  of 
students  and  the  quality  of  their  work  gave  every  cause 


TRANSITION  YEARS.  213 

for  encouragement.  The  academy  curriculum  was 
strengthened.  A  good  lecture  course  was  sustained. 
The  number  of  general  literary  exercises  was  increased. 
The  college  students  were  brought  together  on  Saturday 
mornings  for  drill  in  rhetorical  work.  In  addition,  the 
seniors  delivered  two  orations  each  week  in  the  chapel  in 
the  presence  of  their  fellow  students.  These  ordeals  were 
heroic,  but  helpful,  and,  together  with  the  wordy  battles 
which  the  debates  in  the  society  meetings  called  forth, 
they  contributed  greatly  to  the  students'  training  for  pul- 
pit and  platform  duties  in  the  years  beyond. 

The  class  of  '71  had  organized,  and  at  the  close 
of  the  year  its  members  carried  out  an  interesting  class- 
day  programme,  the  first  of  the  kind  that  had  been 
given  at  Shurtleff.  When  September  threw  open  the 
doors  of  the  school  for  another  year  of  study,  young 
ladies,  as  well  as  young  men,  responded  to  the  call  of  the 
college  bell.  Shurtleff  had  become  a  co-educational  in- 
stitution. This  liberal  policy  was  due  to  the  enterprise 
of  the  acting  president,  who  had  been  a  leader  in  the 
advance  movements  of  the  school  sinre  his  first  official 
connection  with  it.  His  own  daughter,  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Bulkley,  sharing  his  love  of  learning  and  zeal  for  broad 
culture,  became  the  first  lady  graduate  of  the  College, 
taking  her  degree  in  1873.  She  had  followed  the  studies 
of  the  class  with  which  she  graduated — although  denied 
the  privilege  of  equal  rights  with  the  young  men  in  the 
College — so  when  the  barrier  was  broken  down  she  was 
prepared  to  enter  the  junior  year.  For  several  months, 
in  answer  to  her  earnest  petition,  the  special  concession 
had  been  granted  her  of  sitting  in  the  classrooms  day 
by  day  and  listening  to  the  recitations  of  the  young  men 
and  the  lectures  of  the  professors.  One  of  Dr.  Read's 
daughters  had  kept  pace  with  the  regular  college 


214  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

class  in  a  similar  manner  for  two  years,  but  ill  health 
in  her  case  prevented  the  completion  of  the  full  course 
of  study. 

In  seeking  a  successor  to  President  Read  the  trustees 
pursued  a  quite  conservative  and  thoroughly  wise  policy. 
It  was  felt  that  the  new  president  of  Shurtleff  should 
combine  in  himself  the  best  elements  of  the  scholar,  the 
teacher,  the  administrator  and  the  financier.     Both  the 
successes  and  the  failures  of  the  past  had  taught  that 
the  leader  of  the  literary  and  scholastic  activities  of  the 
College  should  be  a  man  of  thoughtful  habits  and  schol- 
arly accomplishments.     The  large  burden  of  classroom 
work,  which  it  was  still  necessary  for  the  president    to 
carry,  made  pedagogical  skill  a  desideratum.     The  gift 
of  executive    force    and   discretion     were    never  more 
greatly  needed.     And  in  the  gradual  transition   which 
was  already  taking  place,  from  the  classical  type  of  col- 
lege president  to  the  wide-awake  business  man  type,  the 
possession  of   farseeing  financial   ability   was   of   great 
importance.     Under    these    circumstances    the    trustees 
were  fortunate  in  securing,  after  two  years  of  persevering 
enquiry,  the  services  of  Rev.  A.  A.  Kendrick,  the  pastor 
of  Beaumont  Street  Church,  St.  Louis.     Mr.  Kendrick 
came  of  a  family  of  eminent  educators.     In  addition  to 
his  undergraduate  and  theological  equipment  he  had  had 
a  full  legal  training.     He  was  born  in  New  York  thirty- 
six  years  before  the  beginning  of  his  work  at  Shurtleff. 
He  had  studied  in  the  East  while  his  active  work  had 
been  chiefly  in  the  West.     He  had  held  successful  pas- 
torates in  Chicago  and  St.  Louis.     Thus  he  seemed  to 
be.  well    fitted  for    the  work  upon  which  he    was    now 
to  enter.     Although  his  active  administration  of  affairs 
did  not  begin  until  September,  he  accepted  the  duties  of 
his  office  in  the  spring  of  1872.     A  goodly  part  of  the 


TRANSITION  YEARS.  215 

time  which  intervened  before  the  opening  of  the  College 
year  in  the  autumn  he  spent  in  acquainting  himself  well 
and  thoroughly  with  the  needs  and  requirements  of  his 
new  position.  In  this  way  he  was  not  by  any  means  a 
stranger  to  the  College  or  its  constituency  when  the  stu- 
dents and  teachers  reassembled. 

Of  course  the  great  event  of  the  anniversary  season 
of  1872  was  the  inaugural  dissertation  of  the  new  presi- 
dent. It  was  upon  the  very  practical  theme,  "The  Loca- 
tion, Mission  and  Needs  of  Shurtleff  College."  The 
location  he  considered  ideal.  Had  it  not  all  the  advan- 
tages which  a  rural  situation  supplies,  such  as  cheapness 
of  living,  absence  of  adventitious  excitements,  freedom 
from  the  temptations  which  throng  in  the  city,  and  seclu- 
sion for  study  and  intellectual  development  ?  On  the  other 
hand,  was  it  not  in  the  vicinage  of  a  mighty  city,  holding 
in  its  grasp  the  life  and  activity  of  this  central  Missis- 
sippi valley;  and  might  it  not  make  its  lawful  levies 
upon  the  resources  of  thought,  intelligence,  and  treasure 
that  centre  there  ?  The  mission  of  the  College  the  presi- 
dent stated  succinctly  to  be  the  advancement  of  the 
rause  of  Christianity,  especially  as  represented  by  the 
Baptist  denomination.  This  ideal  a  college  gains  by 
means  of  the  education  which  it  furnishes,  the  culture 
which  it  imparts,  the  science  which  it  advances,  the  edu- 
cation which  it  gives,  and  the  literature  which  it  creates. 
The  end  should  ever  be  to  make  men  and  women  more 
Christly.  The  cause  of  Christ  is  advanced  by  all  culture, 
and  so,  through  ministerial  education,  should  be  carefully 
fostered.  Shurtleff,  as  a  Christian  College,  could  not 
afford  to  neglect  the  education  of  the  lawyer  and  physi- 
cian, the  editor  and  lecturer,  the  farmer  and  mechanic ; 
in  fact,  all  persons  who  were  looking  forward  to  life. 
Academic  and  preparatory  instruction  was  necessary  at 


2l6  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Shurtleff,  as  at  most  other  western  colleges,  in  order 
that  the  College  might  be  supplied  with  students,  and 
that  the  chasm  still  existing  between  the  public  schools 
and  the  colleges  might  be  adequately  bridged.  Coedu- 
cation was  still  something  of  an  experiment ;  but  it  should 
be  faithfully  tested.  Special  departments  and  profes- 
sional schools  would  be  added  as  the  Providence  of  God 
should  lead  the  way.  Passing  to  consider  the  needs  of 
the  College,  President  Kendrick  insisted  that  an  ample 
and  well-secured  endowment  was  indispensable,  and 
called  attention  to  the  efforts  in  that  direction  that  were 
being  made  by  the  trustees.  Subordinate  to  this  great 
central  need  were  others.  There  should  be  at  once  a 
chemical  laboratory,  a  museum,  and  a  library  arranged 
to  minister  to  the  efficiency  of  every  department  of 
instruction.  The  new  president  closed  with  the  follow- 
ing earnest  exhortation : 

"Friends  of  Shurtleff  College!  This  is  the  grave 
moment  of  my  life.  I  venture  to  say  that,  in  accepting 
the  honorable  trust  extended  to  me  by  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Shurtleff  College,  I  have  risked  everything 
dear  to  me  as  a  minister  and  as  a  man.  What  I  may 
have  done  heretofore  for  Christ's  cause  is  as  nothing 
compared  with  what  I  ought  to  do  hereafter  with  God's 
blessing.  I  see  before  me  many  cherished  friends  with 
whom  I  have  been  associated  in  years  past  as  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel.  Some  of  you  have  told  me  in  words  that 
your  sympathies  follow  me  in  this  new  and  untried  field 
of  service.  May  I  not  ask  all  of  these  old  friends — nay, 
all  friends  of  the  cause  of  Christ  and  Christian  education 
here  assembled,  to  join  their  sympathies,  their  contribu- 
tions, their  efforts  and  their  prayers  with  mine,  that 
Shurtleff  College  may  speedily  become  eminently  pros- 
perous, honored  and  useful?" 


PRESIDENT    ADIN    A.    KENDRICK. 


TRANSITION   YEARS. 

The  commencement  season  which  was  dignified  by  the 
presence  and  words  of  the  new  president  was  also  graced 
by  the  public  appearance  of  the  young  ladies  of  the  insti- 
tution, who  for  the  first  time  took  their  place  in  th;  pro- 
cession of  alumni  and  students.  Among  the  graduates 
Mr.  Solomon  Draper  was  the  first  honor  man,  and  there- 
fore valedictorian.  Mr.  Benjamin  S.  Sawyer,  who  had 
attained  second  honors,  delivered  the  Latin  salutatory; 
he  also  won  the  scholarship  gold  medal.  Mr.  John  B. 
English,  who  had  gained  a  worthy  reputation  as  a  debater 
and  platform  speaker  during  the  four  years  of  his  col- 
legiate career,  received  the  prize  medal  for% excellence  in 
rhetorical  studies.  The  exercises  as  a  whole  were  of  a 
high  order,  and,  better  still,  a  hopeful  spirit  pervaded 
them.  A  special  train  had  brought  a  large  delegation 
of  Mr.  Kendrick's  friends  from  St.  Louis,  and  at  the 
meeting  of  the  trustees  several  St.  Louis  gentlemen  were 
added  to  the  Board.  It  was  the  general  feeling  in  every 
direction  that  the  Baptist  people  of  the  metropolis  of  the 
Southwest  would  rise  to  the  new  occasion,  make  it  a  new 
duty,  and  enlist  heartily  in  the  advocacy  and  support  of 
ShurtlefT  College. 

In  addition  to  the  commencement  proper  there  were 
many  exercises  of  importance  during  the  week.  Among 
these  there  were  the  reunion  of  the  literary  societies  on 
Monday  evening,  the  prize  exhibitions  of  the  freshmen 
and  sophomores  on  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  evenings 
respectively,  the  happy  and  harmonious  session  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  the  lecture  by  Dr.  W.  Pope  Yeaman, 
and  by  no  means  least  the  Alumni  meeting,  which  was 
a  notable  feature  in  the  week's  programme.  Previous 
alumni  gatherings  had  fallen  far  short  of  triumphant 
success,  for  they  had  usually  been  left  to  take  care  of 
themselves,  while  the  other  exercises  of  the  week  had 


2l8  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

been  carefully  planned.  The  reproach  was  taken  away 
in  '72,  for  an  elaborate  dinner  was  served,  an  evening 
was  spent  in  heartiest  social  intercourse,  old  memories 
were  recalled,  happy  friendships  renewed  and  limitless 
enthusiasms  enkindled.  Arrangements  were  made  for 
an  annual  banquet,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
secure  the  due  and  dignified  observance  of  the  same. 
This  pioneer  dinner,  the  progenitor  of  many  yet  to  come, 
was  held  in  the  chapel,  with  Professor  Dodge  as  the 
toastmaster.  He  extended  a  welcome  to  the  class  of  '72, 
and  this  was  acknowledged  in  a  graceful  speech  by  Mr. 
W.  S.  Robert^.  Then  short  and  inspiring  addresses  were 
given  by  Revs.  J.  L.  M.  Young  of  '67,  G.  P.  Guild  of 
'56,  W.  H.  Stedman  of  '69,  and  Professor  I.  D.  Foulon 
of  '70;  after  which  Professor  E.  A.  Haight  of  '67,  Mr. 
R.  A.  Haight  of  '75  and  Mr.  E.  W.  Pattison  delighted 
the  audience  with  the  famous  college  song,  "Upidee." 
After  refreshments  had  been  enjoyed,  short  and  pithy 
speeches  were  made  by  several  old  students.  The  meet- 
ing gave  large  promise  of  reawakened  loyalty  on  the  part 
of  the  alumni  and  former  students.  Thus  closed  the 
memorable  commencement  of  1872.  Thus  brightest 
auguries  of  future  growth  enticed  with  their  fair  dreams 
the  hearts  of  all  the  people.  And  thus  with  joy  and  glad 
acclaim  the  friends  of  Shurtleff  greeted  their  new  Pres- 
ident  and  introduced  him  to  his  future  field  of  labor. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  ADIN  A.   KENDRICK,  1872-1877. 

The  loss  of  two  faithful  friends — A  notable  class — Innovations — Kendall  Institute 
— The  enrollment  grows — Chicago  University — A  lecture  course — Renova- 
tions— Faculty  changes — Spiritual  blessing — The   "Centennial  Offering  "- 
Dr.  Johnson  and  his  great  work. 

During  the  first  year  of  Dr.  Kendrick's  presidency 
two  men  who  had  labored  in  support  of  the  school  in  its 
earlier  years,  Warren  Leverett  and  Hubbel  Loomis, 
passed  to  their  reward.  Professor  Leverett  had  resigned 
his  position  on  the  faculty  in  1868,  but  had  continued 
to  be  identified,  though  more  indirectly  than  before,  with 
the  interests  and  work  of  the  institution.  On  Monday, 
the  4th  of  November,  1872,  he  was  exposed  to  a  severe 
storm  which  was  raging  on  that  day,  and  contracted 
typhoid  pneumonia,  which  caused  his  death  four  days 
later.  His  life  had  been  full  of  good  deeds,  strong  in 
pure  purposes,  abounding  in  self-sacrificing  labors.  In 
the  beauty  of  his  character  he  was  a  model  for  young 
men  to  imitate,  and  his  influence  during  the  thirty-five 
years  of  his  life  at  Upper  Alton  was  wholly  noble  and 
uplifting.  He  was  born  in  Brookline,  near  Boston,  on 
the  iQth  of  December,  1805,  He  was  pre-eminently  a 
man  with  a  single  purpose.  His  life  was  spent  in  the 
service  of  the  young  manhood  of  the  West.  He  was 
always  a  teacher  and  his  heart  was  in  the  work  of 
teaching.  In  1853  ne  resigned  his  professorship  and  for 

219 


22u  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

two  years  remained  out  of  the  College ;  but  even  during 
that  interval  he  was  conducting  in  the  town  an  academy 
of  high  grade,  which  occupied  a  place  not  filled  at  that 
day  by  any  department  of  the  public  school  system.  This 
work  he  only  relinquished  when  urgently  recalled  to  duty 
in  the  college.  He  had  a  noble  helpmeet  in  his  wife.  Be- 
fore her  marriage  Mrs.  Leverett  was  the  preceptress  of  a 
seminary  for  young  ladies  at  Townsend,  Massachusetts. 
Her  literary  attainments,  with  her  gentleness  of  manner 
and  sweet  kindliness  of  disposition,  endeared  her  to  the 
hearts  of  all  the  students,  to  whom  both  she  and  her  hus- 
band so  cheerfully  gave  their  thoughts,  their  labors,  and 
their  lives.  Mrs.  Leverett  still  resides  in  Upper  Alton, 
the  only  representative  of  the  College  management  of  the 
earliest  days.  At  the  age  of  eighty-seven  she  retains  her 
deep  interest  in  the  College  with  which  her  life  has  been 
linked  for  upward  of  sixty  years. 

For  a  long  time  it  had  been  the  custom  of  the  pro- 
fessors and  students  to  pay  an  annual  visit  to  "Father" 
Loomis  on  the  occasion  of  his  birthday,  the  3ist  of  May. 
The  last  visit  of  this  kind  was  made  in  the  spring  of 
1872,  a  few  days  before  the  auspicious  commencement 
at  which  Dr.  Kendrick's  administration  was  inaugurated. 
The  veteran  had  reached  the  ninety-seventh  milestone, 
in  his  earthly  course,  yet  he  seemed  hale  and  vigorous. 
After  giving  him  their  greetings,  listening  to  his  words 
of  counsel,  and  receiving  his  benediction,  the  students 
came  forward  and  shook  hands  with  him,  as  the  custom 
had  always  been.  Then  each  of  the  young  ladies  brought 
a  beautiful  bouquet  of  flowers  and  laid  this  floral  offering 
by  the  good  man's  side,  until  he  was  nearly  hidden  in  a 
bower  of  roses.  After  this  his  son-in-law,  Hon.  Cyrus 
Edwards,  himself  an  aged  man,  renewed  his  invitation, 
often  before  extended,  to  all  the  young  visitors,  to  attend 


DR.  KEN  BRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  221 

the  dinner  to  be  given  by  him  to  the  students  of  Shurtleff 
on  "Father"  Loomis'  one  hundredth  birthday.  With 
happy  congratulations  the  students  took  their  departure. 
Just  a  week  from  the  day  of  Profess'or  Leverett's  death 
the  message  came  to  the  venerated  patriarch  and  found 
him  ready  for  the  change.  Those  who  gathered  in  joy 
to  hail  his  anniversary  and  listen  to  his  words  of  cheer 
a  little  while  before  assembled  now  again  with  many  other 
friends  and  citizens  to  pay  their  last  tribute  to  his 
memory. 

Mr.  Loomis  was  an  honest  and  conscientious  man. 
His  hold  upon  principles  was  firm ;  his  devotion  to  truth 
unflagging.  His  mind  was  well  disciplined,  and  his 
entire  life  was  consecrated  to  study.  Long  after  he 
had  reached  his  ninetieth  year  he  purchased  the  "Ante- 
Nicene  Library"  and  studied  its  pages  with  avidity  until 
almost  the  hour  of  his  death.  Had  it  not  been  for  his 
keen  interest  in  the  topics  of  the  day  and  the  movements 
of  the  later  time  he  would  have  been  looked  upon  as  a 
mere  lonely  survivor  of  a  dead  and  half-forgotten  age. 
He  was  older  than  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He 
was  known  by  the  reverent  title  of  "Father"  Loomis  as 
far  back  as  the  early  '303.  Yet  in  heart  and  Spirit  he 
was  always  young.  In  his  later  years  his  figure  was  a 
familiar  and  picturesque  one,  as  he  took  his  way  each 
morning  down  the  village  street,  walking  very  slowly, 
his  sturdy  form  bowed  by  the  stress  of  his  great  age,  his 
hand  grasping  the  long  staff  which  he  always  carried. 
He  would  stop  every  now  and  then  in  the  course  of  this 
daily  journey,  and,  holding  his  staff  now  with  both  hands, 
leaning  heavily  upon  it  for  support,  he  would  rest  for  a 
time,  exchanging  kindly  greetings  with  every  busy  man 
or  bright-eyed  child  or  happy  youth  who  passed  him  in 
the  way.  When  at  length  his  summons  to  the  higher 


222  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

service  came,  many  missed  the  cordial  morning  welcome 
and  mourned  sincerely  his  departure. 

Numerically,  as  well  as  in  other  ways,  the  College  was 
prospering.  The  enrollment  of  students  had  reached 
one  hundred  and  fifty-two  in  the  last  year  of  Dr.  Bulk- 
ley's  administration.  This  was  the  largest  number  of 
students  the  College  had  ever  known,  but  in  the  following 
year,  the  first  of  Dr.  Kendrick's  presidency,  one  hundred 
and  ninety-four  were  registered.  Of  the  one  hundred 
and  thirty-nine  preparator,  students  thirty-seven,  or 
slightly  more  than  one-fourth,  were  young  ladies.  The 
freshman  class  numbered  thirty-two,  the  largest  in  the 
entire  history  of  the  College,  until  1898,  when  thirty-three 
enrolled  themselves.  Eleven  of  its  members  were  young 
ladies.1  In  presence  of  this  gigantic  class  of  thirty- 
two  the  rest  of  the  College  appeared  quite  insignificant. 
There  were  three  seniors,  four  juniors  and  nine  sopho- 
mores, so  that  thus  in  the  aggregate  the  members  of  the 
three  upper  classes  numbered  only  one-half  as  many  as 
the  freshman  class  alone.  The  fact  that  so  large  a  body 
of  young  people  had  matriculated  into  college  gave  a 
fresh  impetus  to  all  branches  of  the  work.  The  sopho- 
more and  junior  classes  were  composed  entirely  of  young 
men.  Miss  Bulkley  was  in  the  senior  class,  and  was  its 
only  lady  member,  as  Miss  Read  had  through  illness  been 
obliged  to  discontinue  her  studies.  Among  the  fresh- 
men were  several  students  whose  names  have  added 
lustre  to  the  fame  of  their  Alma  Mater.  Mr.  Lucius  M. 
Castle,  a  son  of  Professor  O.  L.  Castle,  has  been  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  public  school  system  of  the 

'It  may  be  interesting  to  know  that  the  young  lady  members  of  this  famous 
freshman  class  were  Misses  Mary  Elida  Barret,  of  Shelbyville;  Mary  J.  Rennick,  of 
Bismarck,  Mo.;  Gertrude  M.  Rowe,  of  Lake  Mills,  Wis.,  and  Frances  Bulkley, 
Emma  Gray,  Katie  G.  Joslyn  and  Ruth  C.  Mills,  of  Upper  Alton. 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  223 

State  of  Illinois  and  is  at  present  connected  with  the  High 
School  at  Springfield.  Otis  Humphrey  is  United  States 
District  Attorney  for  Southern  Illinois,  and  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the 
political  affairs  of  the  state  and  the  nation.  Miss  Ruth 
Mills  was  for  some  years  principal  of  Almira  College 
at  Greenville,  and  afterward  taught  in  Shurtleff  College, 
holding  at  the  same  time  the  position  of  preceptress  of 
the  ladies'  department.  Clarence  S.  Spalding  is  a  Congre- 
gational pastor  in  St.  Louis  who  is  widely  known  and 
honored.  The  class  held  together  fairly  well,  and  grad- 
uated fourteen  regular  members  in  1876. 

On  account  of  the  increase  in  the  number  of  students 
the  recitation  rooms  in  the  second  story  of  the  dormitory 
which  had  been  occupied  for  recitation  purposes,  except 
that  of  Dr.  Fairman,  were  removed  to  the  ground  floor, 
and  these  new  rooms  were  freshly  papered  and  painted. 
One  society  hall  was  still  on  the  fourth  floor.  The 
museum  and  library  were  in  the  same  building.  Several 
young  men  who  arrived  after  the  College  had  opened 
were  obliged  to  take  rooms  in  the  town. 

The  students  were  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  oi 
the  school.  This  was  clearly  evinced  in  the  loyal  attitude 
of  the  College  Journal,  the  "Qui  Vive."  But  how  was  it 
with  the  alumni?  A  movement  was  set  on  foot  early  in 
the  year  for  the  establishment  of  an  alumni  library  to  be 
known  as  the  department  of  Standard  English  Literature, 
in  connection  with  the  library  of  the  College.  Professor 
George  B.  Dodge,  the  president  of  the  Alumni  Associa- 
tion, sent  out  circulars  to  all  graduates  urging  them  to 
contribute  to  the  fund,  but  the  movement  was  not  at- 
tended with  much  success  and  was  soon  abandoned. 

The  policy  of  the  new  president  was  commendably 
cautious.  During  his  first  year  of  service  several  new 


224  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

and  helpful  features  were  introduced  into  the  life  of  the 
school.  One  of  the  strongest  factors  in  its  religious 
development  was  the  course  of  Sunday  afternoon  chapel 
talks  which  was  carried  forward  by  Dr.  Kendrick.  These 
addresses  were  very  stimulating,  and  doubtless  left  their 
impress  upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  the  students.  On 
several  occasions  men  from  abroad  were  present  and 
addressed  the  gatherings. 

The  principal  innovations  in  the  literary  programme 
of  commencement  week  were  the  delivery  of  a  master's 
oration  by  Willard  A.  Smith  of  St.  Louis  and  an  oration 
before  the  alumni  by  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Maple  of  Spring- 
field, Mo.  Both  of  these  were  given  on  Thursday  morn- 
ing, after  the  three  members  of  the  graduating  class  had 
concluded  their  part  of  the  programme.  In  the  confer- 
ring of  degrees  the  Latin  language,  used  on  all  previous 
commencements,  gave  place  to  the  English.  The  salu- 
tatory oration  was  in  Latin,  as  of  yore,  and  was  delivered 
by  the  first  of  ShurtlefFs  lady  graduates,  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Bulkley. 

The  trustees  at  their  annual  meeting  were  somewhat 
perplexed  over  a  floating  debt  of  eight  thou- 
sand dollars,  which  had  accrued;  so  a  strong  plea 
was  made  during  the  commencement  exercises  and  four 
thousand  dollars  in  subscriptions  were  received 
in  the  brave  response  which  the  people  gave. 
In  the  consideration  of  another  important  matter  a  deci- 
sion of  more  than  ordinary  moment  was  reached.  It 
involved  a  new  line  of  policy  and  considerable  risk.  A 
proposition  was  submitted  by  Mr.  H.  N.  Kendall,  in 
which  he  offered  to  sell  his  elegant  private  residence  to 
the  College  for  the  special  use  of  the  ladies'  department. 
The  building  was  the  same  that  had  been  occupied  by 
the  students  of  the  Rural  Park  Seminary,  and  it  was 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  225 

admirably  adapted  and  arranged  for  school  purposes. 
The  seminary  had  not  been  a  financial  success,  on  account 
of  the  lack  of  judicious  enterprise  on  the  part  of  its 
executive  officers.  Some  of  the  members  of  the  College 
Board  were  strenuously  opposed  to  the  large  outlay  and 
great  risk  involved  in  the  purchase  of  the  estate.  Their 
counsels  were  overruled  in  the  end,  and  the  building, 
with  ten  acres  of  land  surrounding,  was  bought  for 
twenty  thousand  dollars.  One-half  of  this  amount  was 
contributed  by  Mr.  Gove,  while  the  remaining  ten  thou- 
sand constituted  the  sum  of  the  subscriptions  made  by 
Mr.  Kendall  to  the  college,  and  included  the  original 
seventy-five  hundred  which  he  had  pledged  toward  the 
endowment  of  the  president's  chair. 

The  trustees  intended  that  the  new  plan  of  coeduca- 
tion should  be  thoroughly  advertised,  and  its  advantages 
heralded  abroad.  Such  a  vigorous  presentation  of  its 
claims  would  give  rise  to  the  constant  and  urgent  ques- 
tion :  What  provision  have  you  made  for  the  safety  and 
oversight  of  the  young  ladies  whom  you  urge  to  seek 
learning  at  your  doors?  Parents  would  certainly  insist 
that  their  daughters  should  be  under  the  immediate 
supervision  of  competent  college  authorities.  Unless 
such  supervision  were  expressly  guaranteed  these  young 
ladies  would  be  sent  to  other  schools,  possessing  a  sys- 
tem of  discipline  more  complete.  Now  this  careful  con- 
trol and  wise  oversight  would  be  provided  by  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Kendall  property  and  the  establishment  of 
a  ladies'  dormitory.  All  the  pleasures  and  all  the  safe- 
guards of  the  home  would  surround  the  pupils.  Such 
sound  logic  early  showed  that — theoretically  at  least — 
the  investment  was  a  necessity. 

Arguing  thus,   the  trustees   determined   to   seize   the 


226  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

opportunity  now  presenting  itself,  and  almost  at  the  very 
inception  of  the  coeducational  life  of  the  school  to  pro- 
vide a  delightful  home  for  the  lady  students.  It  was 
supposed  that  a  large  majority  of  them  would  enter  the 
classes  of  the  college  or  academy,  but  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  might  find  it  impracticable  to  fulfill  the 
demands  of  the  regular  curriculum  a  special  course  of 
study  was  arranged.  It  was  to  cover  four  years  and  on  its 
completion  the  candidate  would  receive  the  diploma  of 
"Kendall  Institute."  The  more  advanced  classes  in  the 
course  were  under  the  direction  of  the  College  professors. 
A  department  of  vocal  and  instrumental  music  was  also 
started,  and  several  young  ladies  from  abroad  entered 
at  once  upon  their  musical  studies. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year  1873  the  Kendall  Institute 
opened  with  an  excellent  attendance,  and,  on  the  whole, 
the  year  was  one  of  the  most  successful  that  the  College 
has  ever  enjoyed.  All  departments  were  in  good  condi- 
tion, although  the  loss  of  Dr.  Fairman  from  the  ranks 
of  the  faculty  was  deeply  regretted.  His  place  was  most 
acceptably  filled  by  Mr.  T.  M.  Stewart,  a  scholarly  young 
man  who  had  just  graduated  from  the  College.  Above 
all,  the  year  was  characterized  by  earnest  devotion  to 
study,  and  by  the  deep  spiritual  life  which  pervaded  the 
entire  institution.  Many  of  the  students  dedicated  their 
lives  to  the  service  of  Christ,  and  quite  a  number  of  noble 
young  men  were  led  to  enter  the  Christian  ministry.  The 
good  work  began  in  the  Alton  and  Upper  Alton  churches, 
which  had  united  in  extending  an  invitation  to  the  Rev. 
E.  P.  Hammond,  an  evangelist,  to  carry  orr  a  series  of 
revival  meetings.  Mr.  Hammond's  manner  was  unpleas- 
ant and  his  methods  were  peculiar  and  rambling,  but  he 
had  the  love  of  God  in  his  heart,  the  power  of  arousing 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  227 

Christians  and  setting  them  at  work,  and,  above  all,  an 
intense  zeal  for  souls.  More  than  five  hundred  persons  in 
the  Altons  professed  Christ  during  the  meetings.  Among 
these  were  many  students.  One  of  the  interesting  fea- 
tures was  an  all-day  service  of  fasting  and  prayer  on 
the  day  before  the  Day  of  Prayer  for  Colleges.  As  a 
result  of  the  humble  and  heart-searching  spirit  which 
prevailed  an  even  richer  blessing  was  poured  out  upon 
the  people.  On  the  following  day  two  services  were  held 
at  which  strong  sermons  were  preached  by  Dr.  Kendrick 
and  Prof.  Stifler.  Considering  the  prayerful  prepara- 
tion which  had  been  made,  it  is  little  wonder  that  all 
hearts  were  deeply  moved.  Among  those  who  con- 
fessed the  name  of  Jesus  for  the  first  time  during  this 
revival  was  Governor  Cyrus  Edwards,  then  in  his  eighty- 
first  year.  His  wonderful  experience  and  his  baptism 
had  a  marked  effect  upon  the  community,  both  within  and 
beyond  the  College. 

The  enthusiasm  of  numbers  was  also  abroad  in  the 
school.  Two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  students  were 
enrolled  in  all  departments.  The  redoubtable  freshman 
class  of  thirty-two  had  fallen  to  twenty,  but  the  sifting 
process  had  not  been  injurious  to  the  character  of  the 
body,  for  the  fittest  had  survived.  A  class  of  three  had 
graduated,  while  the  freshmen  numbered  twenty-seven, 
so  the  College  enrollment  had  risen  from  forty-eight  to 
fifty-nine.  This  was  for  a  very  long  time  the  banner  year 
for 'the  College  in  point  of  numbers.  Between  the  years 
1827  and  1896  the  number  of  College  students  never  ex- 
ceeded the  high-water  mark  which  was  reached  in  the 
second  year  of  Dr.  Kendrick's  presidency. 

This  progress  was  won  through  the  earnestness  and 
vigor  of  the  new  administration,  and  in  the  face  of  the 
growing  strength  of  Chicago  University,  a  strength 


228  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

developed  by  the  path  of  peril  and  difficulty.     This  insti- 
tition  was  becoming  a  formidable  rival  to  Shurtleff  in 
the  very  field  which  had  been  occupied  by  the  latter  for 
many  years.     An  effort  was  made  just  at  this  time  by 
the  metropolitan  institution  to  reduce  Shurtleff  and  other 
colleges  in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago  to  the  rank  of  acad- 
emies and  feeders  of  the  University.     In  the  case  of 
Shurtleff  the  idea  was  never  seriously  entertained  by  the 
authorities.     The  competition  between  the  two  schools 
was  becoming  quite  sharp,  although  their  conditions  and 
surroundings  were  very  dissimilar.     The  periodic  tribu- 
lations   of    the    University    and    the    presence    of    able 
administrators  and  teachers  in  the  College  intensified  a 
rivalry  which  would  hardly  have  been  noticeable  if  the 
College  in  the  rural  town  had  been  weak  or  if  the  Uni- 
versity in  the  great  city  had  occupied  a  commanding  posi- 
tion.    President  Burroughs   resigned   at   Chicago  after 
many  hostile  fortunes  had  vexed  his  soul  and  tried  his 
faith.    Senator  J.  R.  Doolittle  was  chosen  to  succeed  him, 
but  his  position  was  chiefly  an  honorary  one.    The  organ 
of  the  University  students  felt  called  upon  to  remark,  in 
reference  to  the  presidency,  that  "it  should  not  satisfy 
the  friends  of  this  institution  to  see  it  merely  keep  abreast 
of  sundry  colleges  and  so-called  universities,  situated  in 
the  backwoods  or  in  country  villages.     ...     In  the 
light  of  what  the  University  of  Chicago  should  become 
and  can  be  made,  it  ought  to  be  able  to  call  to  its  head 
a  man  whose  reputation  as  a  man  of  energy  and  execu- 
tive ability,  as  a  man  of  trust  and  a  man  begetting  con- 
fidence, would  assure  beyond  peradventure  the  attainment 
of  this  success."  The  editors  of  the  "Qui  Vive"  drew  to 
their  own  doors  the  insinuations  contained  in  this  and 
other  paragraphs,  and  so  the  war  of  words  went  merrily 
forward.    The  rivalry,  at  times  generous,  at  times  bitter, 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  229 

did  not  cease  until  the  university  finally  closed  its  doors 
in  1882. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Counsellors  of 
the  American  Baptist  Educational  Commission,  held  in 
Albany  in  May,  1872,  it  had  been  decided  that  a  move- 
ment should  be  inaugurated  for  the  purpose  of  raising 
a  Centennial  Fund  of  ten  million  dollars  for  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  endowments  of  the  denominational  schools  of 
the  country.  The  amount  was  to  be  in  hand  before  the 
completion  of  the  year  1876,  and  each  school  was  urged 
to  prosecute  with  vigor  the  canvass  for  its  quota  of  the 
entire  sum.  The  new  president  of  Shurtleff  succeeded 
in  rousing  the  friends  of  the  College  to  the  importance 
of  this  plan,  and  a  strong  committee  was  appointed  by 
the  trustees  to  undertake  the  burden  of  collection.  A 
stirring  appeal  was  issued  by  the  committee  in  Decem- 
ber, 1873,  calling  upon  the  friends  of  the  College  to  give 
the  subject  of  a  greatly  increased  endowment  their 
special  and  earnest  consideration,  since  "a  larger  faculty, 
a  better  library,  new  buildings  and  more  complete 
appointments  for  instruction  generally"  were  a  necessary 
condition  of  future  success. 

Along  with  other  indications  of  sound  progress  dur- 
ing the  second  year  of  Dr.  Kendrick's  administration 
was  the  institution  of  a  more  liberal  policy  than  had 
prevailed  in  the  matter  of  the  general  culture  of  the 
student  life.  Several  lecturers  visited  the  College  at  the 
request  of  the  president  and  a  series  of  addresses  were 
given  by  Rev.  J.  C.  C.  Clarke  of  St.  Louis  on  Com- 
parative Philology.  Mr.  Clarke  had  been  a  friend  and 
classmate  of  President  Kendrick  at  the  Rochester  Theo- 
logical Seminary  and  was  his  successor  in  the  pastorate 
of  the  Beaumont  Street  Church,  St.  Louis.  At  the  open- 
ing of  the  College  year  in  the  autumn  of  1875  he  became 


230  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Gove  professor  of  Greek  and  Latin,  a  position  which  he 
held  for  eleven  years. 

Two  of  the  most  eminent  of  the  sons  of  Shurtleff  re- 
turned to  their  Alma  Mater  with  words  of  inspiration 
and  counsel  at  the  commencement  of  1874.  Dr.  Henry 
M.  Gallaher,  the  brilliant  and  versatile  Irishman,  whose 
eloquence  was  often  seriously  compared  with  that  of 
Henry  Ward  Beecher,  came  from  his  home  in  New 
Jersey  to  address  the  alumni  on  "The  Law  of  Com- 
pensation." Dr.  Frank  M.  Ellis,  who  had  lately  gone 
from  a  successful  pastorate  in  Kansas  City  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Michigan  Avenue  Baptist  Church  in  Chi- 
cago, made  several  short  addresses  during  the  exercises 
of  the  week  and  by  his  presence  added  to  the  interest  of 
the  occasion.  The  master's  oration  was  delivered  by  Mr. 
Henry  E.  Mills,  of  St.  Louis,  another  graduate  whose 
fame  was  rapidly  growing  and  whose  work  on  "Eminent 
Domain,"  published  soon  after,  attracted  wide  attention 
and  became  an  authority  on  the  subject  which  it  treated. 
Altogether  the  commencement  was  pronounced  "the  best 
from  first  to  last  that  Shurtleff  had  ever  had." 

A  successful  year  and  a  splendid  commencement  were 
followed  by  a  busy  summer.  A  general  renovation  took 
place.  The  dormitory  halls  shone  resplendent  in  a  coat 
of  new  paint,  and  windows  and  doors  were  carefully 
repaired.  The  chapel  was  refitted,  the  seats  were  renewed 
and  a  new  and  energetic  stove  succeeded  the  smoky  and 
eccentric  furnace  which  had  won  for  itself  an  unenviable 
notoriety.  The  valuable  library  of  Dr.  Pattisor.  was 
temporarily  placed  in  charge  of  the  College  and  its  books 
were  available  for  the  use  of  the  students. 

But  while  the  external  appearance  of  the  College  had 
been  greatly  improved  a  misfortune  had  befallen  it  in 
its  inner  life.  This  was  no  less  an  event  than  the  loss 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  231 

of  Professor  Oscar  Howes,  who  resigned  his  position  in 
order  to  accept  the  chair  of  Latin  and  Modern  Languages 
at  Madison  University.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  scholar- 
ship and  liberal  culture.  On  two  occasions  he  had  been 
granted  leave  of  absence  from  the  College  to  pursue  his' 
studies  abroad.  He  was  an  efficient  teacher  and  most 
painstaking  and  thorough  in  his  methods.  His  labors 
were  of  inestimable  worth.  Owing  to  a  financial  panic 
which  convulsed  the  country,  the  school  opened  with  a 
decreased  attendance,  and  the  enrollment  for  the  year  in 
all  departments  fell  from  t\vo  hundred  and  thirty-seven 
to  two  hundred  and  four,  and  in  the  College  from 
fifty-nine  to  fifty-three.  The  year  went  by  without 
any  event  of  startling  moment.  Its  close  brought  both 
trial  and  advantage,  for  Professors  Marsh,  Stifler  and 
Stewart  severed  their  connection  with  the  school,  while 
Professor  Clarke  was  added  to  the  teaching  force  and 
the  beloved  Dr.  Fairman  returned  from  the  principalship 
of  Cook  Academy  to  the  scene  of  his  earlier  labors. 

For  a  period  of  twenty-one  years,  or  from  1854  to 
1875,  Dr.  Ebenezer  Marsh  had  been  connected  with 
Shurtleff  College  as  professor  of  natural  science.  He 
was  once  absent  for  two  years  in  Europe,  pursuing  his 
studies,  and  he  resigned  from  the  faculty  in  1871,  remain- 
ing out  for  another  two  years.  With  these  exceptions 
his  service  was  continuous.  His  father,  also  by  name 
Dr.  Ebenezer  Marsh,  had  taught  for  a  short  time  in  the 
Rock  Spring  Seminary,  and  at  a  later  period  had  been  a 
trustee  of  Shurtleff,  acting  in  that  capacity  for  a  quarter 
of  a  century.  Grand,  faithful,  self-forgetting  labors 
were  the  gift  of  both  father  and  son  to  the  College  that 
they  loved.  The  prudent  counsels  and  farsighted  busi- 
ness acumen  of  the  elder  man  were  of  great  value  in 
many  an  emergency. .  By  his  superior  mental  endow- 


232  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ments  and  high  scholastic  attainments  the  younger  man 
won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  College  community. 
Professor  Marsh  was  a  graduate  of  Shurtleff  in  the  class 
of  1852.  He  afterward  studied  at  Harvard  University 
and  in  Germany,  receiving  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Phi- 
losophy from  the  University  of  Goettingen  in  1855.  He 
returned  to  give  the  best  of  his  life,  in  patient  and  con- 
secrated effort,  to  the  College  where  he  had  received  the 
foundations  of  his  training  and  which  rejoiced  in  the 
honors  which  he  had  so  worthily  won.  He  proved 
abundantly  in  the  years  of  his  efficient  teaching  service 
that  he  possessed  not  only  the  aptitudes  of  the  true 
scientist,  but  also  a  deep  reverence  for  the  essential 
principles  of  revealed  religion.  Thus  he  was  an  apostle 
of  character  as  well  as  of  culture.  Thus  he  was  a  strong, 
safe  guide  to  the  eager  feet  of  youth  amid  the  ofttimes 
dangerous  paths  of  scientific  investigation.  Such  men 
deserve  the  highest  meed  of  praise. 

Mr.  Stifler  had  long  been  identified  with  the  College, 
and  his  departure  was  deeply  lamented.  The  names  of 
the  two  brothers,  James  and  William  Stifler,  are  insep- 
arably linked  with  the  history  of  Shurtleff  College. 
Indefatigable  as  students,  they  became  industrious  work- 
ers in  the  world's  activities.  Mr.  James  Stifler  entered 
the  senior  class  of  the  Academy  in  1861,  his  brother 
being  at  that  time  a  sophomore  in  College.  They  both 
graduated  from  the  College  in  1866,  and  from  the  theo- 
logical department  in  1869.  Mr.  James  Stifler  was  at 
once  elected  to  a  position  on  the  Board  of  Examiners  of 
the  theological  department.  In  the  following  year  he 
became  a  member  of  Board  of  Trustees,  and  the  next 
year  he  was  called  to  the  chair  of  Biblical  Literature  and 
Interpretation.  This  was  but  two  years  after  the  com- 
pletion of  his  studies.  He  taught  for  four  years  at 


PROFESSOR    JAMES     M.     STIFLER. 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  233 

Shurtleff,  accepting  then  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  Church  at  Hamilton,  New  York,  which  was 
followed  by  a  pastorate  in  New  Haven.  He  resigned 
to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  professorship  of  New 
Testament  Exegesis  in  Crozer  Theological  Seminary, 
a  position  which  he  has  filled  with  honor  for  many  years. 
In  recognition  of  the  value  of  his  services  and  the  ac- 
curacy of  his  scholarship  the  College  conferred  upon  him 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  at  the  time  of  his  removal 
to  the  East. 

The  number  of  students  at  Kendall  Institute  was 
decreasing,  and  the  expense  of  its  maintenance  varied  in 
inverse  ratio  with  its  numerical  status.  Heroic  action 
was  necessary,  so  measures  were  adopted  which  looked 
to  its  reorganization  as  a  young  ladies'  seminary,  pure 
and  simple.  This  idea  was  soon  abandoned,  and  a  year 
later  the  property  was  sold  to  Edward  Wyman,  LL.  D., 
of  St.  Louis,  who  founded  a  boys'  school  under  the  name 
of  "Wyman  Institute,"  and  conducted  it  for  several 
years  with  varying  success.  It  then  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Colonel  Willis  Brown,  and  by  him  was  sold  to 
Messrs.  Jackson,  Eaton,  and  H.  P.  Wyman.  At  the 
present  time  it  is  used  for  the  purposes  of  a  military 
academy.  Several  new  buildings  have  been  erected  and 
under  the  superintendency  of  Professor  Albert  M.  Jack- 
son and  Professor  Eaton  the  institution  is  enjoying  a 
period  of  great  prosperity. 

In  addition  to  the  changes  and  appointments  already 
noticed,  one  of  the  College  seniors,  Mr.  J.  Otis  Humphrey, 
was  chosen  as  an  assistant  teacher  in  the  academy.  He 
had  made  an  excellent  record  as  a  student  and  was 
popular  with  all  classes  of  college  society.  In  the  pre- 
vious year  an  intercollegiate  oratorical  association  had 
been  formed  by  several  of  the  colleges  of  the  state  and 


234  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

at  the  second  annual  meeting  in  Jacksonville,  in  October, 
1875,  the  second  prize,  amounting  to  fifty  dollars,  was  won 
by  Mr.  Humphrey.  That  the  honors  thus  early  won  were 
well  deserved  has  been  abundantly  proved  by  the  sub- 
sequent career  of  the  young  orator  and  teacher.  At  the 
National  Convention  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  year 
1896,  the  speech  of  Mr.  Humphrey  nominating  Mr. 
Hobart  for  the  vice-presidency  of  the  United  States, 
was  one  of  the  most  able  and  brilliant  that  was  delivered 
during  the  sessions  of  that  memorable  assembly. 

Many  an  old  student  remembers  today  with  a  tender 
interest  the  spiritual  quickening  which  thrilled  and  vital- 
ized the  school  in  the  spring  of  1876.  The  community 
as  well  as  the  College  was  affected,  and  very  deeply. 
There  was  little  outward  excitement.  The  cdventitious 
aids  to  the  acceptance  of  the  Christian  life,  under  condi- 
tions of  high  pressure  and  intense  enthusiasm,  were 
scarcely  perceptible  at  any  time  in  the  history  of  the  work. 
No  evangelist  was  present.  No  unusual  methods  were 
used.  Simple  gospel  talks  were  made  at  evening  meet- 
ings by  the  pastor  of  the  village  church  or  by  one  of 
the  professors,  prayers  and  testimonies  following.  The 
Holy  Spirit  wrought  manifestly,  in  grace  and  power. 
Class  prayer  meetings,  largely  attended,  were  held  each 
day.  Although  in  church  or  college  there  were  meetings 
every  evening  and  often  through  the  day,  the  recitations 
went  forward  without  interruption  and  good  work  was 
done.  The  relations  between  teacher  and  student  became 
more  sacred  and  affectionate  than  ever  before.  Few  of 
the  students  stood  aloof;  none  made  light  of  the  things 
which  they  saw.  There  were  many  conversions.  One 
gifted  young  man,  who  had  been  known  as  a  sneering 
skeptic,  was  brought  into  fellowship  with  the  spirit  of 
Christ;  he  has  now  been  for  many  years  a  devoted  mis- 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  235 

sionary  among  the  Hakkas,  in  China.  Others  whose 
lives  were  changed  at  that  time  have  stood  nobly  in 
defense  of  truth  through  the  intervening  years,  while 
occupying  positions  of  influence  in  every  part  of  our 
country. 

With  a  strong  faculty  and  many  evidences  of  internal 
prosperity  the  College  could  now  afford  to  spare  Presi- 
dent Kendrick  for  a  time  from  the  work  -of  internal 
administration  in  order  that  he  might  devote  himself 
to  the  enlargement  of  the  endowment.  The  plan  which 
had  been  suggested  more  than  three  years  before  by 
the  Educational  Commission  was  undertaken  in  earnest 
and  energetic  fashion.  Dr.  Kendrick  spent  some  months 
in  a  preliminary  canvass,  relinquishing  for  that  purpose 
his  regular  work  at  the  College.  Dr.  G.  J.  Johnson,  who 
had  been  connected  with  the  American  Baptist  Publi- 
cation Society  as  its  district  secretary  in  St.  Louis,  was 
appointed  to  undertake  the  leadership  of  the  campaign. 
His  signal  success  in  carrying  the  work  to  a  successful 
issue  abundantly  justified  the  choice.  It  was  proposed 
to  obtain  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  during  the  cen- 
tennial year.  In  order  to  stimulate  gifts  a  number  of  lists 
were  opened,  the  "Dollar  Roll,"  the  "Ladies'  Professor- 
ship Roll,"  the  "Ministers'  Roll"  and  the  "General  Cen- 
tennial Roll."  Every  effort  was  made  to  popularize  the 
undertaking,  and  friends  of  the  College  were  admonished 
and  exhorted  to  co-operate  in  cordial  sympathy  and  to  add 
tangible  gifts  to  verbal  expressions  of  loyalty. 

Dr.  Johnson  very  wisely  began  his  work  by  testing  the 
sentiment  of  the  people  at  the  home  of  the  College.  Ac- 
cordingly he  presented  the  matter  in  the  Baptist  Church 
of  Upper  Alton  in  February,  1876,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
service  took  up  a  collection  which  amounted  to  more  than 
five  hundred  dollars.  Encouraged  by  this  proof  of  Intel- 


236  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ligeiit  devotion  to  the  school  Dr.  Johnson  carried  his  can- 
vass far  and  wide,  and  in  conjunction  with  Dr.  Kendrick 
and  Dr.  Bulkley  he  succeeded  in  securing  pledges  to  the 
amount  of  forty-four  thousand  dollars  in  the  four  months 
that  followed.  At  commencement  time  two  enthusiastic 
meetings  were  held  in  the  interest  of  the  movement 
and  at  the  close  of  the  year  1876  about  seventy- 
five  thousand  dollars  had  been  pledged.  As  many 
of  the  subscriptions  were  conditional  on  the  raising  of 
the  entire  amount  aimed  at  in  the  beginning,  the  position 
was  a  critical  and  perplexing  one.  The  time  for  collec- 
tion had  expired,  the  Centennial  year  had  gone  forever, 
and  the  end  in  view  had  not  been  reached.  In  a  moment 
of  inspiration  a  way  of  escape  suggested  itself.  As  the 
year  1877  marked  the  fiftieth  milestone  of  Shurtleff's 
history,  an  additional  year  of  service  would  be  secured 
to  the  agents  by  making  the  new  endowment  pledges  a 
Jubilee  instead  of  a  Centennial  offering.  This  new  plan 
would  extend  the  time  limit  to  the  last  day  of  the  year 
1877.  The  idea  was  a  good  one,  and  in  bringing  it  before 
the  people  Dr.  Johnson  made  an  ardent  plea  in  the  follow- 
ing language : 

"Ought  not  such  a  College,  enjoying  the  pre-eminence 
of  being  the  oldest  institution  of  learning  in  the  Missis- 
sippi valley,  and  in  fact  in  all  the  West,  in  a  territory 
embracing  fully  three-fourths  of  the  area  of  the  Ameri- 
can Union,  a  college  that  has  already  done  the  good  this 
has,  and  is  so  favorably  situated  to  do  the  good  this  is, 
and  now  celebrating  its  Jubilee  year,  to  be  liberally  pro- 
vided for  by  its  friends?  What  possibly  could  we  do — 
that  was  becoming — and  do  less  for  it  than,  as  a  Jubilee 
offering,  to  raise  $50,000  in  its  behalf,  including  what 
may  be  necessary  to  complete  fully  the  Centennial  effort, 
so  far  advanced,  to  raise  $100,000?  Let  it  be  done." 


DR.  KEN  BRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  237 

The  spur  of  the  new  appeal  had  a  breezy  and  stirring 
effect  throughout  the  state,  and  Dr.  Johnson  was  able  to 
bring  to  the  commencement  the  good  news  that  upward 
of  thirty-five  thousand  dollars  had  been  received  in  sub- 
scriptions, cash  and  pledges.  More  than  six  months 
remained  for  the  gathering  of  the  additional  fifteen  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  the  promoters  of  the  movement  felt 
confident  that  success  would  crown  their  efforts. 

The  jubilee  was  celebrated  with  the  most  elaborate 
public  exercises  that  the  college  had  ever  known. 
Students,  teachers,  alumni,  friends  and  strangers  gath- 
ered to  the  feast.  From  the  text,  "For  Thine  is  the  King- 
dom," Dr.  Kendrick  opened  the  programme  of  the  week 
with  an  impressive  sermon.  On  Sunday  evening  Dr. 
Galusha  Anderson  delivered  the  annual  sermon  before 
the  Education  Society.  On  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  the 
trustees  were  in  session.  The  report  of  the  financial  agent 
was  carefully  considered,  and  in  view  of  the  extreme 
stringency  in  money  matters  throughout  the  country  his 
success  was  looked  upon  as  most  cheering.  He 
was  urged  to  continue  in  the  work  until  he  had 
rounded  out  the  full  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
On  Tuesday  evening  a  large  assembly  listened  to 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Baker,  D.  D.,  of  Russelville,  Ky., 
who  had  been  a  student  of  Shurtleff  in  the  '305.  He 
delivered  a  historical  address  which  presented  an 
epitomized  account  of  the  progress  of  civilization  in  the 
central  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  On  Tuesday  evening 
the  crowds  again  gathered,  this  time  to  hear  an  oration 
before  the  literary  society  by  ex-President  Dr.  Daniel 
Read,  and  a  poem  by  Rev.  C.  A.  Hobbs,  D.  D.,  of  the  class 
of  1868. 

Wednesday  was  Jubilee  day.  The  spirit  of  enthusiasm 
reigned.  The  air  breathed  gladness.  Words  of  good 


238  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

cheer  were  carried  from  lip  to  lip.  Many  a  loyal  heart 
was  beating  in  happiest  response  to  the  joy  and  hope 
which  everywhere  abounded.  Dr.  Johnson  acted  as  the 
presiding  officer.  He  gave  the  opening  address,  in  which 
he  sketched  the  origin  and  development  of  the  school.  He 
also  displayed  some  relics  of  bygone  years,  which  a  dili- 
gent search  in  archives  and  odd  corners  had  brought 
forth.  Among  these  was  a  copy  of  Dr.  Peck's  paper,  "The 
Pioneer,"  "the  first  newspaper  ever  published  in  the  State 
of  Illinois,  and  printed  upon  the  first  printing  press  ever  set 
upon  Illinois  soil."  Dr.  S.  H.  Ford,  editor  of  "The  Chris- 
tian Repository,"  and  in  early  days  a  classmate  of  Dr.  Ba- 
ker at  Shurtleff,  followed  with  an  interesting  account  of 
the  life,  character  and  educational  work  of  Dr.  Peck.  Then 
Mrs.  M.  P.  Lemen,  of  Salem,  who  had  been  a  member  of 
Dr.  Peck's  family  at  Rock  Spring,  and  had  afterward  con- 
ducted a  private  school  in  the  seminary  building,  pictured 
in  graphic  words  the  scenes  and  labors  of  the  pioneer 
period.  Three  other  Rock  Spring  students  spoke,  Lewis 
H.  Scanland,  William  H.  Rider  and  Professor  Whitney, 
of  Granville,  Ohio.  Forty-seven  years  before,  Mr. 
Whitney  had  travelled  from  Boston,  eighteen 
hundred  miles  away,  in  order  to  attend  the 
seminary.  A  part  of  the  distance  he  had  jour- 
neyed on  foot,  and  the  obstacles  in  his  way  were 
many,  yet  he  persevered  in  his  self-appointed  task.  Just 
why  he  should  have  turned  his  back  upon  historic  Boston, 
the  home  of  superabundant  culture,  and  have  battled  with 
a  host  of  difficulties  that  he  might  possess  the  crude,  and 
imperfect  educational  equipment  which  the  pioneer  school 
provided  in  that  day,  away  to  the  westward,  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  Illinois,  does  not  appear  from  the  context,  and  is 
quite  incomprehensible  to  our  critical  modern  mind,  but 
the  fact  remains — the  young  man  did  it  and  rejoiced  in 
the  doing  of  it. 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  239 

After  the  reading  of  a  paper  on  "The  Educational  Serv- 
ices of  Dr.  Jonathan  Going,"  which  was  prepared  by  Rev. 
Frank  B.  Cressey  of  Detroit,  a  grandson  of  Dr.  Going, 
the  audience  adjourned  to  the  college  campus,  where  din- 
ner was  served  to  all  comers  in  hospitable  fashion.  In  the 
afternoon  the  people  came,  still  unwearied  and  eager,  to 
hear  the  eloquent  addresses  of  Cyrus  Edwards,  Adiel 
Sherwood,  Daniel  Read,  and  Justus  Bulkley.  Mr.  Ed- 
wards made  a  pointed  and  practical  speech,  in  which  he 
offered  to  add  one  thousand  dollars  to  his  former  dona- 
tions, in  order  to  assist  in  completing  the  jubilee  and  cen- 
tennial pledges.  Dr.  Sherwood,  though  bowed  beneath  the 
burden  of  six  and  eighty  years,  spoke  words  of  encourage- 
ment and  benediction.  Several  other  friends  added  inter- 
est to  the  occasion  by  the  loyal  sentiments  which  they 
expressed,  and  letters  of  congratulation  from  many  of 
the  absent  graduates  were  read.  In  the  evening  an  alumni 
reunion  was  presided  over  by  Willard  A.  Smith,  of  Chi- 
cago, and  followed  by  a  banquet  and  reception.  On  Thurs- 
day morning  the  members  of  the  senior  class  presented 
their  orations  and  received  their  diplomas  \vith  due  pomp 
and  ceremony.  A  jubilee  poem,  by  Dr.  William  C.  Rich- 
ards, closed  the  exercises  of  ShurtlerFs  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary. This  poem,  bright  and  suggestive  throughout, 
closed  w-ith  the  words  : 

Fifty  years  of  hope  and  toil, 

Fifty  years  of  toil  and  faith, 
Great  the  labor,  rich  the  spoil, 

So  each  grateful  toiler  saith ; 
Many  voices  sweet  there  be, 

Mingling  in  our  jubilee. 

Some  grown  dumb  of  mortal  speech, 

Sing  in  tones  we  may  not  hear, 
Though  we  strive  in  vain  to  catch. 


240  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Some  soft  cadence  haply  near; 
Oh,  the  rapture  if  but  we 
Heard  their  song  in  jubilee. 

All  along  the  fifty  years, 
Silence  fell  on  sainted  lips, 

Folding  earthly  hopes  and   fears, 
In  the  gloom  of  life's  eclipse; 

Now  they  sing  more  sweet  than  we 
On  this  day  of  jubilee. 

What  a  throng  upon  the  earth, 
What  a  group  in  Paradise, 

Join  today  in  sacred  mirth, 

Blending  songs  of  earth  and  skies. 

Never  earthly  strain  can  be 
Sweeter  than  our  jubilee. 

Other  tongues  than  ours  will  sing 
Fifty  years  from  this  glad  day, 
When  Centennial  shouts  shall  ring 
^     O'er  our  unawakened  clay; 
But  from  sin  and  sorrow  free 
We  shall  keep  heaven's  jubilee. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  ADIN  A.  KENDRICK,    1877-1889. 

The  financial  outlook — Hard-working  teachers — Student  government — Ups  and 
downs — The  school  discipline — Town  and  gown — The  new  Chapel— Deficits 
— Exit  of  the  Chicago  University — The  College  Review — The  Library — Class 
Day — The  College  Band — Martha  Wood  Cottage. 

When  the  jubilee  year  ended  Dr.  Johnson  had  accom- 
plished the  great  work  to  which  he  dedicated  two  of  the 
best  years  of  his  long  and  active  life.  He  had  received 
subscriptions  aggregating  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  thousand  dollars  and  forty-seven  thousand  dollars 
of  this  magnificent  amount  had  been  paid.  His  able  con- 
duct of  the  enterprise  was  recognized  by  the  trustees,  and 
his  portrait  was  hung  with  those  of  the  founders  and  fath- 
ers in  Chapel  Hall.  Further  than  this,  he  was  elected  to 
the  newly-created  office  of  Chancellor  of  the  College, 
though  he  never  entered  upon  the  active  duties  of  the 
position.  As  too  often  happens  in  such  large  efforts,  a 
considerable  part  of  the  amount  subscribed  was  never  paid, 
and  a  large  part  of  the  amount  paid  was  applied  to  the 
cancellation  of  the  many  debts  which  had  perplexed  the 
college  officers  and  hampered  their  work.  Notwithstand- 
ing these  facts,  and  in  itself  considered,  the  effort  of 
Dr.  Johnson  was  phenomenal,  and  great  praise  cannot 
be  withheld  for  his  devoted  and  self-sacrificing  labor. 
It  added  tremendously  to  the  avails  and  opportunities 
of  the  school.  i 

The     years     immediately     following     were     charac- 
terized   by    even    and    scholarly    work    on    the    part 

241 


242  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

of  the  teachers  and  steady  devotion  on  the  part  of 
the  students.  The  finances  were  in  better  condition 
than  ever  before,  owing  to  the  increase  in  the  en- 
dowment fund,  and  the  payment  of  outstanding 
obligations.  The  professors  were  doing  a  vast  amount 
of  classroom  work  and  sacrificing  literary  and  scholastic 
ambitions  in  order  to  meet  the  severe  demands  of  the 
school.  Dr.  Fairman  was  teaching  all  of  the  mathematics 
required  in  the  College  classes,  and  carrying  in  addition 
the  work  in  natural  philosophy,  chemistry,  geology  and 
mineralogy.  Professor  Clarke  had  full  charge  of  the 
Greek,  the  French  and  the  German  languages,  and  inci- 
dentally gave  instruction  in  Biblical  literature  and  inter- 
pretation. In  spite  of  their  herculean  labors  they  were 
dealt  with  after  a  very  human  and  seemingly  heartless 
fashion,  and  their  salaries  were  a  fluctuating  and  uncer- 
tain quantity.  At  about  this  time  a  large  reduction  was 
made  \vith  extreme  suddenness,  yet  with  aggravating 
equanimity,  by  the  trustees. 

The  number  of  students  in  all  departments  for  the  year 
ending  with  June,  1878,  was  one  hundred  and 
sixty-four.  In  the  following  year  there  was  a 
decrease  of  about  forty,  though  the  College  attend- 
ance rose  from  fifty-five  to  fifty-eight.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  latter  year  an  interesting  special  feature 
was  introduced  and  has  continued  in  vogue  ever  since. 
Realizing  that  many  of  the  new  students  came  for  the 
first  time  from  their  homes,  and  were  unaccustomed  to 
college  life  and  inclined  to  loneliness,  the  two  literary 
societies  instituted  a  "joint  sociable,"  which  all  teachers 
and  pupils  were  cordially  urged  to  attend.  The  success 
of  this  plan  for  the  introduction  of  new  students  and  the 
establishment  of  happy  and  fraternal  relations  among  all 
members  of  the  institution,  has  caused  its  perpetuation. 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  243 

The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  organization  has  recognized  the  value 
of  this  idea  and  has  made  it  a  prominent  feature  in  con- 
nection with  its  work  in  the  American  colleges ;  but  the 
plan  was  in  active  operation  at  Shurtleff  long  before  the 
Christian  associations  began  to  emphasize  its  importance. 

The  chief  event  of  the  year  was  the  introduction  of  an 
entirely  ne\v  scheme  of  discipline.  With  the  full  consent 
and  hearty  good  wishes  of  the  trustees  and  faculty,  the 
students  organized  themselves  into  a  General  Assembly, 
This  august  body  adopted  a  constitution,  elected  officers, 
chose  a  senate  of  fifteen  members,  and  established  a  court 
consisting  of  a  chief  justice  and  two  associate  justices.1 
Under  the  constitution  certain  laws  were  enacted  by  the 
senate,  which  became  valid  with  the  sanction  of  the  presi- 
dent of  the  College,  but  without  his  approval  were  null 
and  void.  All  offenses  were  tried  before  the  student  court 
and  punished  by  fines  which  varied  according  to  the  char- 
acter of  the  offenses.  Cases  requiring  expulsion  from 
college,  and  like  severe  penalties  were  referred  to  the 
faculty.  If  a  student  rebelled  against  the  judgment  of 
his  peers,  and  refused  to  pay  any  fine  which  the  court 
imposed,  he  was  straightway  turned  over  to  the  faculty 
for  discipline.  By  these  terms  the  students  were  not  only 
put  upon  their  honor,  but  the  responsibility  for  the  good 
government  of  the  school  rested  with  peculiar  weight 
upon  "those  who  served  as  members  of  the  senate  and 
court. 

During  the  first  year  of  its  history  the  new  plan  worked 
excellently,  and  the  organization  rendered  valuable  aid 


!The  officers  of  the  Student  Government  during  the  first  year  of  its  existence 
were  as  follows:  President  of  the  General  Assembly,  Frank  I.  Merchant;  Vice- 
President,  E.  B.  Black;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  J.  F.  Baker;  Marshal,  Justus  L. 
Bulkley;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Rush  English;  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  R.  S.  Wade;  Associate  Justices,  S.  J.  Ghee  and  G.  L.  Morrill. 


244  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

to  the  faculty  in  the  administration  of  discipline  and  in 
the  protection  of  the  buildings,  the  furniture  and  the  other 
property  of  the  institution.  The  students  learned  lessons 
of  self-control  and  character-building  through  the 
medium  of  the  new  charge  set  upon  their  shoulders ;  while 
the  faculty  acted  wisely  in  confirming  the  decisions  of  the 
court  and  in  refusing  to  investigate  or  entertain  "appeals." 
The  principal  weakness  was  the  natural  leniency  of  the 
student- judges  in  passing  sentence  upon  their  fellows. 
This  policy  led  in  the  course  of  the  second  year  to  an  atti- 
tude of  indifference  toward  the  findings  of  the  court,  and 
instead  of  regarding  his  position  as  a  keen  disgrace  the 
student  who  was  taxed  or  punished  was  often  inclined 
to  bear  it  patiently,  and  to  treat  the  whole  matter  as  a 
joke  when  he  had  nonchalantly  fulfilled  the  requirement 
of  the  judges.  In  a  reaction  from  this  condition  of  things 
certain  measures  were  inaugurated  that  were  much  more 
drastic  in  their  tendency.  The  effect  was  not  encouraging 
to  the  authorities.  From  every  quarter  came  loud  com- 
plainings, and  very  soon  the  dormitory  was  nearly  de- 
serted, the  students  finding  themselves  less  firmly  bound 
by  the  regulations  of  the  senate  while  they  were  occupy- 
ing rooms  in  town. 

At  the  opening  of  the  term  in  the  autumn  of  1880  some 
of  the  restless  spirits  determined  to  test  gently  the  quality 
and  temper  of  the  newly-elected  court,  so  they  made  an 
attack  upon  the  panels  in  the  fence  which  had  just  been 
erected  in  front  of  the  College.  Further  than  this,  they 
displaced  several  rods  of  sidewalk,  and  overturned  the 
stile.  To  their  own  immense  satisfaction  the  criminals 
were  acquitted  by  the  court.  Critics  and  croakers  held  up 
their  hands  in  holy  horror.  Surely  such  leniency  was 
unpardonable.  Law  and  order  were  at  an  end.  Discipline 
would  be  impossible.  Anarchy  would  hold  full  sway. 


DR.  KEXD  RICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  245 

But  strangely  enough  the  inevitable  did  not  happen.  The 
unruly  element  made  obeisance  to  the  mild  judgment  of 
their  peers.  The  complacent  and  liberal  spirit  in  which 
the  student-court  met  the  test  which  the  rebellious  faction 
had  made,  produced  a  happy  effect,  and  tranquillity  and 
good  order  reigned  in  the  school  during  the  winter 
months.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  however,  the  system  of 
student-government  was  abandoned.  The  ideal  was  most 
excellent,  but  in  the  practical  outworking  of  the  scheme 
the  inexperience  and  youth  of  the  responsible  parties,  to- 
gether with  the  strength  and  bias  of  personal  friendships 
and  college  rivalries,  made  even-handed  justice  and 
unprejudiced  decisions  well-nigh  impossible. 

The  year  1879-80  was  marked  on  the  one  hand  by  one 
of  the  most  helpful  experiences,  and  on  the  other  by  one 
of  the  most  serious  conflicts  in  the  life  of  the  College.  A 
genuine  inspiration  was  received  in  the  series  of  meetings 
which  wrere  held  during  February  and  March.  The 
preaching  was  done  almost  exclusively  by  President  Ken- 
drick  and  Dr.  Bulkley.  The  convincing  logic  of  the  one 
and  the  affectionate  appeals  of  the  other  of  these  two  men 
were  abundantly  blessed.  Though  the  work  of  the  College 
went  forward  without  interruption,  the  meetings  contin- 
ued with  unabated  interest  for  five  weeks,  and  forty  per- 
sons were  added  to  the  Baptist  Church.  Without  undue 
excitement,  but  with  deep  and  tender  expressions  of  the 
love  of  Jesus  Christ,  many  of  the  students  were  brought 
into  the  Kingdom  of  God.  It  was  a  season  of  genuine 
refreshing. 

The  little  unpleasantness  came  earlier  in  the  year,  and 
before  the  College  had  settled  down  to  its  customary 
steady  method  of  work.  In  October  a  clash  occurred 
between  the  seniors  and  the  faculty,  which  boded  ill  for  a 
time.  The  entire  senior  class  was  suspended  for  a  week 


246  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

or  more,  and  it  required  several  faculty  meetings,  several 
student  caucuses,  and  several  conferences  between  the 
contending  parties  to  reach  a  satisfactory  adjustment  of 
difficulties.  But  while  the  class,  like  Mahomet's  coffin, 
hung  between  heaven  and  earth,  one  of  its  members  un- 
wittingly dealt  the  College  a  severe  blow.  He  had  been 
appointed  as  a  delegate  to  the  intercollegiate  oratorical 
contest,  which  was  about  to  convene  in  its  third  annual 
meeting.  As  the  class  at  that  time  was  under  censure, 
and  not  attending  recitations,  the  student  who  had  been 
appointed  to  represent  Shurtleff  as  orator  considered  that 
he  was  not  a  bona  fide  member  of  the  College,  and  that 
therefore  he  could  not  compete  in  the  contest.  Conse- 
quently he  remained  at  home.  Now,  the  rules  of  the 
Association  provided  that  if  the  representative  of  any 
college  should  fail  to  put  in  an  appearance  at  the  contest, 
the  institution  to  which  he  belonged  should  straightway 
forfeit  all  rights  of  membership  in  the  body.  Conse- 
quently the  relations  of  Shurtleff  to  the  Association  were 
severed  by  the  action  of  her  chosen  representative.  At 
the  beginning  of  the  following  year  the  students  deter- 
mined to  apply  for  readmission,  but  through  lack  of  a  vig- 
orous and  systematic  canvass  of  the  question  they  lost  the 
golden  opportunity,  although  Monmouth  and  Illinois  col- 
leges and  the  Illinois  Industrial  University  had  practi- 
cally pledged  their  hearty  support,  and  readmission  could 
probably  have  been  obtained  with  little  difficulty.  Not 
for  four  years  after  the  forfeiture  of  membership  was  a 
resolute  effort  made  to  regain  admission  to  the  Associa- 
tion. In  1883  two  of  the  students,  Harry  H.  Tilbe  and 
Edgar  B.  Roach,  visited  Rockford,  where  the  annual 
meeting  was  in  session,  and  pressed  Shurtleff's  claim 
most  earnestly.  They  were  unsuccessful  in  their  mission, 
and  though  other  attempts  were  made  in  later  years,  the 


DR.  KEN  BRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  247 

College  has  never  been  readmitted  to  full  membership. 
The  intercollegiate  association  in  the  '8os  was  strong  and 
influential,  so  that  ShurtlefFs  self-banishment  was  a  most 
unfortunate  circumstance.  The  Chicago,"  Northwestern 
and  Illinois  Universities  were  constituent  members  of  the 
organization.  All  of  these  schools  afterward  withdrew, 
and  today  the  association  is  in  charge  of  a  few  of  the 
smaller  colleges,  and  divides  its  energies  between  athletic 
and  oratorical  contests. 

Missteps  and  mistakes  Avill  now  and  then  occur,  even 
in  the  best  regulated  schools.  The  faculty  were  certainly 
in  no  way  blameworthy,  for  the  members  of  the 
teaching-body  at  Shurtleff  were  zealous  for  the 
general  interests  of  their  pupils,  and  as  well  for  their 
moral  and  religious  culture.  Every  student  was  obliged 
to  attend  divine  worship  each  Sunday  morning.  In 
the  evening  all  might  follow  their  own  pleasure.  Many 
of  them  remained  in  their  rooms ;  some  went  to  the  reg- 
ular preaching  service  at  the  church ;  some  made  social 
calls,  while  others  attended  the  students'  Sunday  evening 
meetings,  which  were  held  in  the  chapel.  These  meetings 
were  exceedingly  valuable  to  the  young  people,  combining 
as  they  did  in  a  most  helpful  fashion  the  intellectual  and 
the  spiritual  elements.  They  were  frequently  conducted 
by  the  president  or  one  of  the  professors,  who  added  to 
their  interest  by  a  thoughtful  exposition  of  Scripture  or 
a  short  address  of  direct  and  practical  worth.  Though 
attendance  at  these  gatherings  was  purely  voluntary,  the 
number  present  was  usually  quite  large. 

All  of  the  students  were  required  to  attend  the  College 
chapel  each  week-day  morning.  On  these  occasions  the 
seniors  and  juniors  presented  orations,  but  the  professors 
were  seldom  to  be  seen.  In  former  years  the  full  faculty 
had  graced  these  occasions  of  mingled  duties,  devotional 


248  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

and  rhetorical,  with  their  constant  presence,  and  had  criti- 
cised with  much  care  the  efforts  of  the  speakers ;  but  now 
the  president  conducted  the  religious  exercises,  and  he  and 
the  students  constituted  the  Board  of  Examination  and 
Criticism  on  the  orations  which  followed.  That  there  was 
no  shirking  of  duty  on  the  part  of  the  president  is  evident 
from  the  fact  that  on  more  than  one  occasion  he  required 
the  author  of  an  oration  to  revise  and  rewrite  it  com- 
pletely, after  presentation.  The  task  of  appearing  before 
the  full  student-body,  and  of  delivering  a  discourse  of  his 
own  composition  in  presence  of  that  usually  attentive  and 
critical  audience,  was  a  severe  ordeal,  but  a  good 
discipline.  Under  the  guidance  of  President  Kendrick 
these  exercises  were  fruitful  of  positive  and  gratifying 
results. 

In  the  autumn  of  1881  the  number  of  students  had 
increased  to  one  hundred  and  forty-three,  and 
fifty-seven  of  these  were  young  women.  The  apt- 
ness and  ability  of  the  latter  made  literary  and 
scholastic  competition  more  brisk,  and  added  a 
real  inspiration  to  the  work  of  all  the  classes.  There 
were  seventy  students  from  the  Altons,  about  one-half  of 
the  entire  registration  and  a  wholly  unprecedented  condi- 
tion of  affairs.  Ordinarily  the  numerical  contribution  of 
the  city  of  Alton  to  the  enrollment  lists  of  the  College 
has  been  quite  insignificant,  and  the  interest  of  the  great 
body  of  its  citizens  in  the  welfare  of  the  school  has  been 
surprisingly  slight.  Perhaps  this  is  true  in  almost  every 
college  town ;  perhaps  not.  Perhaps,  also,  there  is  usually 
a  considerable  amount  of  jealousy  between  village  nnd 
college,  or  "town  and  gown."  Such  a  feeling,  though 
often  manifest,  is  probably  independent  of  the  question 
of  numerical  patronage.  However  this  may  be  it  is  inter- 
esting to  notice  that  in  the  case  before  us  the  year  which 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  249 

saw  so  large  an  influx  of  students  from  the  vicinity  of 
the  school  witnessed  several  outbreaks  that  threatened  the 
peace  of  all  concerned.  The  fracas  began  by  the  molesta- 
tion of  some  of  the  students  on  their  return  from  the  post- 
office  in  the  evening.  The  incident  developed  a  habit,  and 
soon  stones  and  other  articles  were  thrown  out  of  the 
darkness  at  the  young  men  on  their  way  from  the  office, 
after  the  opening  of  the  evening  mail.  As  life  and  limb 
were  endangered  by  this  habit  of  the  town  boys  the 
students  fell  into  an  equally  reprehensible  habit  of  carry- 
ing firearms,  and  of  discharging  pistols  into  the  air  now 
and  then.  This  silenced  the  enemy  for  a  time;  but  one 
evening  a  party  of  roughs  pounced  upon  an  unoffending 
student,  and  attacked  him  with  knives  and  rocks.  He  for- 
tunately escaped  with  his  life,  but  his  fellows  and  friends 
immediately  appealed  to  the  "village  fathers"  to  obtain 
redress.  These  worthies  expressed  the  fullest  sympathy 
with  the  student  who  had  been  molested,  but  refused  to 
move  a  hand  in  the  enforcement  of  justice.  After  seek- 
ing vainly  for  redress  from  this  source,  the  students,  at 
their  own  expense,  prqcured  the  arrest  of  the  ringleader 
and  had  him  tried  by  a  magistrate  outside  the  corporate 
limits  of  Upper  Alton.  He  was  found  guilty  and  received 
a  well-deserved  punishment.  By  this  means  order  was 
restored  and  an  outward  appearance  of  peace  once  more 
possessed  the  community. 

A  revolutionary  movement  was  now  made.  By  the 
introduction  of  special  departments  and  schools  Pres- 
ident Kendrick  inaugurated  a  new  scheme  of  work,  and 
enlarged  and  broadened  the  historic  purpose  of  the  school. 
Thus  in  1882  the  business  course  and  the  teachers'  course 
were  announced;  in  1885  the  art  school  came  into  being; 
in  1887  the  school  of  music  was  started ;  in  1888  the  post- 
graduate department,  with  courses  of  nonresident  study 


250  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

for  the  degrees  of  doctor  of  philosophy  and  doctor  of 
laws,  was  instituted. 

At  the  close  of  the  tenth  year  of  Dr.  Kendrick's  pres- 
idency an  effort  was  inaugurated  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  new  chapel.  For  half  a  century  the 
chapel  exercises  had  been  held  morning  by  morn- 
ing in  the  original  brick  building  which  the  energy 
of  the  early  friends  of  the  school  had  reared.  The  chapel 
and  the  dormitory  still  stood  alone  in  their  glory,  as  they 
had  for  one  and  forty  years,  while  well-nigh  a  dozen 
generations  of  students  had  frequented  their  corridors 
and  classrooms.  Dr.  Kendrick  made  a  quiet  but  vigor- 
ous canvass  during  the  year,  and  secured  several  thousand 
dollars  in  subscriptions.  At  the  meeting  of  the  trustees 
in  June  plans  and  specifications  were  adopted,  and  soon 
after  the  excitment  of  commencement  ceased  the  noise 
of  building  began.  The  executive  committee,  with  Dr. 
Kendrick  at  their  head,  proceeded  with  commendable  cau- 
tion in  their  work,  resolving  neither  to  incur  an  indebted- 
ness nor  to  encroach  upon  the  endowment  funds.  The 
outside  work  was  completed  and  the  entire  edifice  ready 
for  occupancy  at  the  end  of  the  college  year,  at  which  time 
appropriate  dedicatory  services  were  held.  Hon.  Daniel  B. 
Gillham,  the  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  occupied 
the  chair,  and  Rev.  P.  S.  Henson,  of  Chicago,  delivered 
the  address,  speaking  on  "A  Plea  for  the  Old."  In  the 
presence  of  the  new  and  imposing  structure  Dr.  Henson 
recalled  the  age  of  the  College,  and,  continuing,  made  an 
eloquent  appeal  for  devotion  to  "the  Old  Faith,  the  Old 
People,  and  the  Old  Book."  The  building  had  cost  about 
thirteen  thousand  dollars,  nine  thousand  of  which 
had  been  paid.  The  additional  amount  was  obtained 
shortly  afterward,  so  that  no  debt  has  ever 
rested  upon  it.  Though  not  elegant  or  showy  in 


DR.  KEN  BRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  251 

its  architecture  the  new  chapel  was  substantial  in  its 
appearance  and  convenient  in  its  appointments.  The  four 
large  recitation  rooms  on  the  ground  floor,  and  a  spacious, 
well-lighted  and  airy  audience  room  on  the  second  story, 
added  greatly  to  the  comfort  and  working  facilities  of  the 
College. 

The  opening  exercises  of  the  academic  year  1883-84 
were  held  in  the  new  chapel,  the  inaugural  address  being 
delivered  by  Professor  Clarke.  The  financial  necessities 
of  the  College  were  kept  steadily  before  the  people. 
The  productive  endowment  at  this  time  amounted  to 
less  than  sixty-six  thousand  dollars.  The  year  was 
a  good  one.  In  the  course  of  the  previous  year  Rev. 
J.  G.  Lemen.  had  been  employed  for  some  months 
as  the  financial  agent.  He  had  used  his  time  in 
collecting  unpaid  pledges  and  in  furthering  at  the 
same  time  the  interests  of  the  Education  Society.  Now, 
in  his  room  and  stead,  and  in  consequence  of  his  resigna- 
tion, Rev.  H.  W.  Thiele  assumed  the  duties  of  the  office. 
He  carried  forward  his  work  quietly  and  persistently,  pre- 
senting the  claims  of  the  School  in  such  a  way  that  he 
set  men  thinking,  and  gave  offense  to  none,  although  the 
amounts  which  he  secured  in  cash  were  not  large.  The 
most  liberal  donation  of  the  year  was  made  by  Mr.  Robert 
Latham,  of  Jerseyville,  through  whose  generosity  the 
College  received  one  thousand  dollars.  The  en- 
tire increase  of  endowment  during  the  year  was 
just  double  that  amount.  But  to  counterbalance 
this  addition  of  two  thousand  dollars  to  the  permanent 
funds  there  was  a  deficit  in  current  expenses  of  rather 
more  than  that  amount.  It  was  not  a  new  experience,  for 
in  no  year  of  the  history  of  the  College,  from  1827  to 
1899,  has  the  annual  deficit  failed  to  appear.  It  has  been 
even  more  permanent  and  ubiquitous  than  any  other 


252  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

feature  of  the  college  life.  Commencement  was  omitted 
on  one  occasion — the  deficit  never.  Yet  these  regularly 
recurring  financial  worries  may  have  been  in  some  par- 
ticulars a  blessing  in  disguise.  They  have  frequently  indi- 
cated growth  and  enlargement  of  facilities,  while  a  blame- 
less balance-sheet  might  have  meant  stagnation.  Expen- 
diture often  mears  progress  and  attention  to  necessary 
improvements. 

Other  schools  were  suffering  much  more  severely  than 
Shurtleff.  The  trustees  of  Kalamazoo  College,  in  Mich- 
igan, resolved  at  about  this  time  to  close  the  doors  of 
the  institution  temporarily,  thus  stopping  all  expenses, 
and  allowing  the  income  of  invested  funds  to  accumulate 
until  the  formidable  indebtedness,  which  had  carried  sor- 
row of  heart,  should  be  entirely  canceled.  This  peri- 
lous policy  was  avoided  by  a  prompt  and  fortunate  action. 
Rev.  Myron  W.  Haynes  (now  the  president  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  Shurtleff  College)  went  out  into  the  state 
to  solicit  funds,  and  as  a  result  of  his  labors  the  debt  of 
eighteen  thousand  dollars  was  blotted  out,  the  sum  of 
fifty  thousand  dollars  was  added  to  the  endowment  and 
the  school  was  saved. 

Chicago  University  was  also  in  trouble  over  the  ques- 
tion of  debts  and  deficits.  Brave  men,  true  and  loyal  to 
their  trust,  struggled  in  vain  to  bear  the  burden,  which 
grew  greater  with  each  year  that  passed.  The  end  was 
near,  and  the  final  act  in  the  drama  was  the  sale  of  the 
property  by  the  United  States  marshal  for  two 
hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  The 
sale  was  made  under  judgment  of  the  court 
for  three  hundred  and  ten  thousand  dollars,  so 
an  indebtedness  still  remained,  though  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  the  institution  no  longer  existed.  The 
comment  of  President  Kendrick  upon  this  termination 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  253 

of  an  unfortunate  career  was  characteristically  wise  and 
discriminating.  He  said  that  the  facts  detailed  "display 
the  necessity  of  conservative  financiering  in  the  man- 
agement of  colleges.  The  temptation  to  make  large  out- 
lay is  almost  irresistible.  It  is  easy  to  go  forward,  relying 
upon  paper  endowment.  We  do  not  always  distinguish 
between  'promises  to  pay'  and  'payments.'  In  benevolent 
enterprises,  however,  we  are  sorry  to  say  the  distinction 
is  abysmal.  In  the  financial  revulsions  which  are  sure  to 
follow  periodically  upon  the  business  methods  of  the 
world,  the  promises  of  the  best  of  men  often  become 
worthless,  but  the  debts  survive  the  promises  upon  the 
basis  of  which  they  were  incurred.  It  is  plain  that  an 
institution  is  absolutely  safe  in  its  expenditures  only  when 
it  has  invested  assets  sufficient  to  produce  the  needed 
income.  The  endeavor  should  therefore  be  constantly 
made  to  increase  the  assets  while  rigidly  retrenching 
the  expenditures.  It  is  easy  enough  to  state  the  rule,  but 
there  is  difficulty  in  the  application.  There  is  a  point 
below  which  expenditures  cannot  go.  One  may  retrench 
a  college  out  of  existence.  Retrenchment  must  not  go  so 
far  as  seriously  to  impair  the  work  for  which  the  college 
exists.  A  certain  extent  of  expenditure  is  needful  in 
order  to  maintain  the  reputation  and  carry  on  the  work 
of  the  institution.  To  find  that  point  which  is  at  the  same 
time  the  minimum  of  expenditure  and  the  maximum  of 
possible  retrenchment  is  a  difficult  problem  before  the 
college  financier." 

The  death  of  the  university  removed  Shurtleff's  most 
formidable  competitor.  She  herself  suffered  a  loss  in  the 
resignation  of  Mr.  Frank  I.  Merchant,  who  had  taught 
for  five  years  with  great  acceptance.  Mr.  Merchant 
class.  After  his  successful  career  as  a  teacher  in  his  alma 


254  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

mater,  he  went  to  Germany,  where  in  1890  he.  received 
the  degree  of  doctor  of  philosophy  at  the  University  of 
Berlin.  Since  then  he  has  held  the  professorship  of  Latin 
in  the  State  University  of  South  Dakota.  His  superior 
methods  of  teaching  and  his  zeal  for  high  scholarship  are 
referred  to  with  enthusiasm  by  those  who  studied  under 
his  charge  at  Shurtleff  in  the  early  eighties. 

Mr.  Merchant  and  his  classmate,  John  L.  Pearson,  had 
been  the  first  editors  of  the  new  College  publication.  The 
initial  number  of  the  "Qui  Vive"  had  appeared  in  1868, 
and  the  paper  had  suspended  publication  in  1876.  Its  sus- 
pension was  due  to  the  fact  that  it  had  become  rather  a 
"free  lance,"  and  its  references  to  persons  and  events  had 
not  always  been  complimentary  in  character.  Now,  after 
the  lapse  of  three  years  the  first  number  of  "The  College 
Review"  made  its  appearance,  as  the  "publication  author- 
ized by  the  Board  of  Trustees-."  Merchant  and  Pearson 
were  just  the  right  men  for  the  editorial  task,  and  under 
their  watch  and  guard  the  "Review"  took  its  place  at  once 
among  the  foremost  college  journals  of  the  day.  In  the  au- 
tumn of  1885  a  printing  establishment  was  introduced  at 
the  College,  and  for  several  years  thereafter  the  whole 
work  of  editing,  publishing  and  printing  was  done  within 
the  limits  of  the  campus.  A  large  amount  of  job  printing 
was  also  done,  and  thus  the  cost  of  bills  for  programmes 
and  circulars  was  lessened.  The  printing  office  served  a 
further  purpose  by  affording  employment  to  students  who 
might  otherwise  have  been  compelled  to  discontinue  their 
studies  for  lack  of  funds. 

That  one  -  wise  move  may  have  many  fortunate  out- 
growths was  proved  in  other  affairs  of  the  College  at  the 
time  of  which  we  write.  When  the  new  chapel  was  built 
the  old  one  was  shorn  of  its  glory.  Even  the  portraits 
which  adorned  its  walls  were  removed  to  the  statelier 


PROFESSOR    FRANK    I.     MERCHANT. 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  255 

structure  across  the  campus.  Then  the  library  in  its 
turn  was  transferred  from  the  dormitory,  and  the  shelves 
and  hook  cases  were  placed  in  the  old  chapel.  At  once  the 
question  of  the  proper  arrangement  of  the  books  pre- 
sented itself,  while  on  the  other  hand  the  spacious  room  to 
which  the  library  had  been  brought  seemed  all  too  vast 
for  its  needs.  So  two  very  commendable  decisions  were 
reached — that  the  books  should  be  classified  and  indexed, 
and  the  size  of  the  library  increased.  Mr.  Henry  E.  Mills 
and  Mr.  Augustus  L.  Abbott  were  accordingly  commis- 
sioned to  arrange  and  recatalogue  the  books,  and  through 
the  kindness  of  Mr.  Lewis  E.  Kline,  the  secretary  of  the 
St.  Louis  branch  of  the  American  Baptist  Publication 
Society,  the  printing  was  done  without  expense  to  the 
College.  Mr.  Kline  also  made  a  valuable  donation  of 
books,  and  his  example  was  followed  by  many  other 
frien/ls  of  the  school,  so  that  about  five  hundred  volumes 
were  added  in  the  course  of  the  year.  Some  of  these  were 
purchased  with  the  income  of  the  student's  literary  fund, 
and  nearly  all  were  standard  works,  so  that  the  gain  to 
the  College  was  by  no  means  insignificant. 

The  library  of  a  denominational  school  is  usually 
composed  very  largely  of  patent  office  reports  and 
the  dilapidated  remains  of  theological  and  mis- 
cellaneous collections,  donated  by  well-meaning 
ministers.  The  elements  of  scholarship  and  lit- 
erary merit  are  lacking.  Such  libraries  are  collected,  not 
selected.  They  have  variety  without  living  interest,  and 
their  chief  claim  to  regard  lies  in  their  heterogeneity  of 
titles,  though  the  theological  complexion  predominates. 
Such  books,  dry  as  dust,  with  worn  covers  and  in  gloomy 
bindings,  weighing  down  the  shelves  and  filling  the  al- 
coves, are  suggestive  only  of  forbidding  mustiness.  In 
the  agony  of  the  many  pressing  financial  burdens  which 


256  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

harrass  the  life  of  the  small  college,  the  library  is  too 
often  treated  as  a  last  and  least  important  interest.  In 
consequence,  both  teachers  and  students  suffer  immeas- 
urably. At  some  distance  from  great  centres,  they  are 
forced  to  depend  upon  the  small  and  insufficient  collection 
of  archaic  volumes  which  is  near  them.  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  they  "fossilize"  and  fall  behind  the  times?  From 
these  dangers  Shurtleff  was  to  some  extent  relieved  by  the 
provision  for  regular  library  fees  which  was  made,  and 
by  careful  investment  of  the  same  in  valuable  volumes. 

The  number  of  upper  classmen  at  the  opening  of  the 
year  1885-86  seemed  alarmingly  insignificant.  There  had 
been  thirty-six  college  students  during  the  previous  year, 
and  the  number  now  fell  to  twenty-three.  The  decrease  was 
largely  owing,  however,  to  the  fact  that  no  class  had  matric- 
ulated from  the  preparatory  department.  By  a  change 
which  had  been  made  in  the  curriculum  of  the  department 
three  years  before,  the  course  of  study  was  lengthened 
from  six  to  nine  terms,  and  the  effect  of  this  regulation 
was  now  felt.  The  decrease  was,  therefore,  not  a  sign  of 
weakness,  but  an  indication  of  definite  and  healthful 
progress.  In  spite  of  the  change  the  freshman  class  was 
by  no  means  a  cipher,  for  three  students  presented  them- 
selves for  enrollment  at  the  beginning  of  the  autumn 
term.  The  change  that  had  been  made  was  wholly  in  the 
interests  of  good  scholarship.  It  applied  to  both  classical 
and  scientific  courses,  and  it  received  the  indorsement 
and  hearty  approval  of  the  students  as  well  as  the  friends 
of  the  school. 

Though  this  rearrangement  of  the  curriculum  con- 
ferred honor  and  dignity,  it  did  not  materially  affect  finan- 
cial conditions  and  needs.  So  in  December,  1885,  Dr. 
Kendrick  made  a  strong  appeal  to  the  Board  to  increase 
the  endowments,  and  drew  attention  to  the  constantly- 


DR.  KEN  BRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  257 

recurring  deficits  in  the  current  expense  account.  The 
College  was  doing  a  large  business  with  an  insufficient 
capital.  The  amount  of  business  could  not  be  diminished 
without  self-annihilation.  It  was  therefore  imperative 
that  the  capital  should  be  increased.  The  president  there- 
fore pleaded  for  the  adoption  of  a  plan  looking  to  the 
addition  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  to  the  funds  by  obtain- 
ing subscriptions  to  the  endowment  bonds.1  The  Board 
considered  the  proposition  gravely,  commended  it  in 
warm  though  general  terms — and  adjourned.  After  con- 
sulting with  Dr.  Kendrick,  however,  the  financial  agent 
determined  to  seek  by  all  possible  means  to  carry  forward 
the  plan.  His  toil  and  time  brought  small  reward,  for  the 
trustees  failed  to  co-operate  actively  in  the  undertaking. 
In  spite  of  this  apathetic  spirit  the  president  had  by  no 
means  lost  hope,  nor  did  he  relinquish  the  idea  of  a  larger 
permanent  endowment.  Mr.  Thiele  had  resigned  and 
Rev.  E.  S.  Graham  had  succeeded  him  as  financial  officer. 
The  College  was  well  equipped,  well  attended,  well  admin- 
istered. The  rival  school  in  Chicago  was  a  thing  of  the 
past.  The  General  Association  of  Illinois  had  just  given 
its  specific  endorsement  to  the  College,  now  fairly  entered 
upon  its  sixtieth  year  of  history,  and  had  commended  it  to 
the  interest  and  support  of  the  people.  A  year  had  gone 
since  the  former  appeal  to  the  Board.  And  so  again,  with 
utmost  earnestness,  the  needs  of  the  College  were  set 

'The    endowments  of  the  College,  including  unadjusted  claims  and  unpaid  sub- 
scriptions were: 

In  1882  -  $59,823.52 

"  1883  -----  65,789.42 

"  1884  -  67,838.38 

"  1885  -----  70,889.19 

"  1886  -    -    -    -  70,149.77 

The  buildings  and  grounds  were  valued  at  $42,054.19,  which  brought  the  entire 
assets  of  the  College,  in  1886,  to  a  total  of  $  1 14,204. 52.  The  liabilities  were 
about  $8,000.00. 


258  THE  PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

before  the  governing  body,  and  they  were  besought  to 
use  their  influence  and  personal  effort  to  secure  the  pay- 
ment of  the  floating  debt,  the  increase  of  the  endowment, 
and  the  erection  of  a  new  building  that  should  serve  as  a 
home  for  the  young  lady  students.  As  a  building  is  tangi- 
ble and  endowment  often  seems  intangible,  the  trustees 
took  the  last  suggestion  first,  and  commissioned  the  finan- 
cial secretary  to  go  forth  into  highways  and  byways,  and 
obtain  sufficient  money  to  build  a  ladies'  hall.  Incidentally 
he  was  to  labor  for  the  other  objects.  Mr.  Graham  was 
no  idler.  After  a  few  weeks'  work  he  reported  five  hun- 
dred dollars  promised  toward  the  building  fund  and  five 
hundred  dollars  toward  the  endowment,  besides  three 
thousand  dollars  conditionally  pledged  for  a  young  men's 
clubhouse.  The  contributions  to  the  endowment  kept 
gathering  volume  until  fifteen  thousand  dollars  had  been 
subscribed;  then  they  ceased.  The  clubhouse  never  ma- 
terialized. The  five  hundred  dollars  for  the  ladies'  hall 
were  pledged  by  Charles  F.  Mills,  of  Springfield,  and  con- 
stituted the  real  commencement  of  the  canvass,  which 
bore  fruitage  in  the  very  handsome  "Martha  Wood  Cot- 
tage," which  has  afforded  a  pleasant  and  happy  home  for 
the  daughters  of  Shurtleff  for  a  dozen  years  past. 

June  closed  a  bright  year.  "The  best  in  the  history 
of  the  College"  was  the  off-hand  verdict  of  many,  and 
this  verdict  was  confirmed  by  a  member  of  the  faculty 
who  had  known  the  varying  fortunes  of  the  school 
through  many  years  of  stress  and  triumph.  The  num- 
ber of  students  was  not  greater  than  it  had  been  during 
the  preceding  five  years.  But  a  wholesome  and  stimu- 
lating spirit  had  thrilled  and  permeated  the  school  life, 
and  the  students  had  responded  cordially  to  the  efforts 
of  the  teachers  in  their  behalf.  Not  least  among  the 
events  of  the  year  was  the  establishment  of  an  important 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  259 

social  function.  By  way  of  experiment  Washington's 
birthday  was  celebrated  as  the  College  Class-Day.  A 
programme  consisting  of  patriotic  orations  by  represen- 
tatives of  the  various  classes  and  music  by  the  College 
band,  was  the  feature  of  the  afternoon ;  and  in  the  even- 
ing a  banquet  was  given  and  good  nature  and  kindly 
feelings  held  full  sway.  So  successful  was  the  occasion 
that  it  became  the  progenitor  of  the  annual  class  day, 
which  is  now  the  chief  sociel  event  of  the  college  year. 
In  the  celebration  of  this  "day  of  days"  the  literary 
societies  have  loyally  joined  their  forces  and  their  efforts, 
laboring  for  the  common  happiness  of  all.  It  is  inter- 
esting to  notice  in  this  connection  that  the  year  which 
heralded  the  college  class  day  pronounced  the  requiem 
of  the  Society  contests.  For  three  years,  beginning  in 
1885,  these  oratorical  encounters  were  held.1  The  well 
known  rivalry  of  "Alpha  Zeta,"  and  "Sigma  Phi"  brought 
to  the  meeting-place  hosts  of  eager  and  enthusiastic 
friends.  On  the  occasion  of  the  first  contest  President 
Kendrick  was  obliged  to  utter  a  word  of  caution  relative 
to  "possible  attempts  of  partisans  to  influence  the  deci- 
sion of  the  judges."  In  all  three  contests  the  Sigma  Phi 
Society  was  triumphant,  although  both  parties  achieved 
honor  by  the  superior  character  of  their  productions  and 
representations.  The  cheers  of  the  victorious  party  at 
the  close  of  the  third  annual  contest  will  surely  never  be 
forgotten  by  those  who  participated,  but  some  very  bitter 
feelings  were  engendered,  so  it  became  necessary  to  dis- 
continue this  intensely  exciting  feature  of  society  life. 

'The  programme  in  every  case  consisted  of  two  declamations,  two  papers,  two 
orations  and  an  extemporaneous  debate.  In  the  first  contest  the  Sigma  Phi  Society 
won  ten  points  out  of  a  possible1  eleven.  In  the  second,  under  a  different  method 
of  marking,  Sigma  Phi  scored  275%  and  Alpha  Zeta  264.  In  the  third  the 
final  averaging  gave  Sigma  Phi  264  and  Alpha  Zeta  260. 


260  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

At  the  last  of  the  annual  contests  an  interesting  part 
of  the  programme  was  the  rendition  of  martial  music  by 
the  College  band.  Faithfully  and  well,  since  September's 
hot  and  dusty  days,  fifteen  of  the  students  who  were 
musically  gifted  had  been  struggling  through  their  ini- 
tial experiences  as  members  of  the  Shurtleff  Brass 
Band.  They  had  practised  twice  each  week  under  the 
leadership  of  Mr.  Edgar  B.  Roach,  at  that  time  an  instruc- 
tor in  the  preparatory  department.  The  band  covered  it- 
self and  the  College  with  glory  on  several  occasions  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  year.  Its  music  was  highly  appreciated ; 
its  enlivening  strains  quickened  the  interest  of  both  stu- 
dents and  teachers  in  musical  matters;  and  all  circum- 
stances combined  with  these  to  enforce  the  value  of  musi- 
cal training.  So  at  the  opening  of  the  next  academic 
year  a  department  of  music  made  its  appearance,  and 
before  the  year  closed  it  had  enrolled  thirty-nine  ambi- 
tious pupils.  But  the  impetus  which  created  it  had  its 
birth  in  the  year  preceding,  and  the  band  played  into 
existence  that  vigorous  and  successful  School  of  Music 
which  has  been  a  source  of  social  and  cultural  strength 
to  the  College  for  more  than  a  dozen  years.  Thus  mem- 
ories of  'S/'s  Commencement  bring  thoughts  of  a  year 
of  "sweetness  and  light,"  with  suggestions  of  the  pioneer 
class  day  banquet,  the  beginning  of  the  ladies'  hall,  the 
last  great  literary  contest,  the  nearly  organized  orches- 
tra, and  the  inauguration  of  the  school  of  music,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  baseball  team,  which  won  laurels  in  its 
victories  over  Blackburn  University  and  other  hapless 
contestants. 

The  topics  of  engrossing  interest  throughout  the  year 
that  followed  were  at  first  the  progress  of  the  ladies' 
building  fund  and  then  the  progress  of  the  ladies'  build- 
ing. Undaunted  by  the  forlorn  history  of  Ken- 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  261 

dall  Institute  Mr.  Graham  by  the  middle  of  September  had 
started  a  movement  to  secure  from  the  women  of  the 
state  the  money  necessary  to  furnish  the  rooms  in  the 
ladies'  home.  Eight  associations  responded  with  gener- 
ous gifts.  In  December  Mr.  Graham  came  before  the 
Board  with  the  encouraging  statement  that  he  had  secured 
fifteen  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  subscriptions  to  the 
endowment,  as  the  result  of  his  first  year's  work  in  the 
service  of  the  College.  He  was  commended  for  his  zeal 
and  authorized  to  undertake  the  collection  of  funds  for 
the  new  ladies'  hall.  The  work  now  moved  forward  rap- 
idly. In  March  it  was  announced  that  Hon.  Samuel 
Wood,  of  Pisgah,  a  member  of  the  Board,  had  pledged 
one  thousand  dollars  as  a  tribute  to  the  memory 
of  his  wife,  who  had  recently  died.  In  April  six  thou- 
sand dollars  had  been  promised;  the  contract  for  the 
building  had  been  let ;  ground  had  been  broken ;  the  walls 
were  rising.  In  June  the  trustees  met  and  named  the 
new  building  "The  Martha  Wood  Cottage."  In  Septem- 
ber it  was  dedicated  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  sixth  day  of  the  month  a  reception 
was  held  in  the  parlors  of  the  new  building  and  in  the 
evening  the  formal  exercises  took  place  in  the  chapel. 

The  "Cottage"  was  a  handsome  three-story  structure, 
with  a  pleasant  outlook,  and  furnished  rooms  for  twenty 
young  ladies.  A  still  larger  number  might  be  accom- 
modated in  case  of  necessity.  On  the  first  floor  were 
the  reception  parlors,  the  music  rooms  and  the  apart- 
ments of  the  lady  teachers.  The  second  floor  contained 
the  rooms  for  the  students.  The  third  floor  was  reserved 
for  future  use  as  a  gymnasium ;  it  has  never  been  fin- 
ished. A  brick  building  of  eight  rooms  in  close  prox- 
imity to  the  new  building  had  been  purchased  by  the 
College  some  years  before.  This  "Annex,"  as  it  was 


262  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

called,  was  utilized  as  the  matron's  department,  and  in 
it  the  kitchen  and  dining-room  were  located.  The  entire 
arrangement  of  cottage  and  annex  was  most  admirable 
and  a  model  of  convenience.  The  cost  of  erecting  the 
cottage  was  eleven  thousand  dollars,  while  the  subscrip- 
tions aggregated  nine  thousand.  Secretary  Graham  nott 
went  forth  to  secure  the  balance.  In  this  undertaking  he 
failed  to  succeed  and  a  large  part  of  the  amount  which  he 
had  before  secured  in  subscriptions  was  never  paid.  A 
year  later  the  treasurer  stated  that  a  debt  of  six  thousand 
dollars  still  remained  on  the  building,  and  although  this 
sum  has  decreased,  the  College  is  still  paying  some  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a  year  in  the  way  of  interest. 

The  number  of  lady  students  has  never  been  very 
great.  The  children  of  wealthy  parents  in  our  western  land 
go  to  Vassar,  Wellesley  and  other  women's  colleges  in  the 
East;  or  they  follow  shorter  and  more  popular  courses 
in  seminaries  and  finishing  schools.  On  the  other  hand, 
most  of  the  college  girls  as  well  as  a  majority  of  the  col- 
lege boys  who  study  in  the  small  institutions  are  not  bred 
in  affluence;  they  cannot  therefore  command  the  advan- 
tages and  privileges  which  a  women's  dormitory  usually 
provides.  A  boy's  room  may  be  bare  and  cheerless ;  a  girl's 
room,  if  the  college  furnish  it,  must  be  roomy  and  attrac- 
tive, and  its  rental  must  therefore  be  higher.  Being  un- 
able to  offer  the  excellent  and  even  elegant  accommoda- 
tions of  the  Martha  Wood  Cottage  at  a  rate  below  that 
of  the  ordinary  boarding  house,  the  patronage  in  this 
department  has  never  been  large  enough  to  fill  the  build- 
ing. 

Other  incidents  occurred  to  retard  the  growth  at  the 
very  beginning.  At  the  time  that  the  ladies'  hall  was 
built  a  school  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state  was  claim- 
ing a  goodly  share  of  public  attention.  Mrs.  Shimer,  the 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  263 

owner  and  superintendent  of  the  Mt.  Carroll  Seminary, 
had  offered  the  establishment  to  the  ladies  of  the  Bap- 
tist denomination,  and  they  were  considering  very  seri- 
ously the  question  of  accepting  the  trust,  and  endowing 
the  school  as  a  Baptist  college  for  women.  Though  the 
negotiations  failed  they  had  the  effect  of  bringing  the 
institution  prominently  before  the  minds  of  the  people. 
After  a  successful  career  Mt.  Carroll  has  recently  been 
given  to  the  University  of  Chicago  and,  rechristened  as 
"The  Francis  Shimer  Academy,"  it  enters  upon  a  career 
of  enlarged  usefulness. 

During  the  dozen  years  which  followed  the  Jubilee 
celebration  the  College  classes  were  discouragingly  small. 
Nor  have  many  of  the  students  of  that  period  attained  a 
noteworthy  distinction,  though  they  have  almost  without 
exception  led  stalwart  and  useful  lives.  In  1878  the 
longest  list  of  graduates  appears,  the  number  for  that 
year  being  thirteen.  The  roll  contains  the  name  of  one — 
now  Hon.  Francis  W.  Parker  of  Chicago — whose  bril- 
liant career  has  been  watched  with  peculiar  interest  by 
all  friends  of  Shurtleff.  After  the  completion  of  his 
course  in  law  Mr.  Parker  was  for  two  years  an  examiner 
in  the  patent  office  at  Washington.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Illinois  legislature  for  some  time,  serving  as  the 
representative  from  the  first  district  of  Chicago.  For 
years  he  has  been  one  of  the  most  widely  known  of  the 
younger  men  in  the  legal  profession  in  the  West.  He 
has  offices -in  Chicago  and  in  London,  spending  half  of 
his  time  abroad.  Not  only  because  of  his  worthily-won 
success,  but  because  of  his  splendid  Christian  manhood, 
and  his  loyal  devotion  to  his  Alma  Mater,  the  College  re- 
joices in  his  honorable  achievements. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  PRESIDENCY    OF  ADIN  A.  KENDRICK,    1889-1894. 

The  Ladies'  Education  Society — Numerical  growth — Washington  Leverett — The 
Leveretts  and  their  work — A  tragic  event — Beginning  of  a  laboratory — The 
new  Gymnasium — Losses  by  death — The  pro  rata  system — Orlando  L.  Castle 
— The  "  New  Endowment. " 

Two  commodious  buildings  had  been  erected  within 
six  years  and  the  spirit  of  progress  was  still  active.  The 
president  now  emphasized  the  desirability  of  renovating 
completely  the  dormitory  and  raising  an  additional 
endowment  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The 
last  suggestion  by  its  magnitude  somewhat 
startled  the  trustees  and  they  treated  it  with 
delicate  caution.  In  connection  with  the  proposed 
improvements  in  the  dormitory  a  ladies'  educa- 
tion society  was  organized,  with  Mrs.  H.  C.  First  as 
president,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Graham  as  secretary,  and  a  board 
of  directors  consisting  of  fifteen  members.  Most  of  the 
ladies  were  residents  of  the  Altons.  Their  initial  effort 
in  behalf  of  the  College  was  the  inauguration  of  the  Dor- 
mitory Club,  at  which  satisfactory  board  was  furnished 
at  a  minimum  of  expense.  Many  ladies  in  different  parts 
of  the  state  contributed  funds  or  food,  and  the  club  was 
energetically  conducted  for  a  time.  It  was  then  found 
to  be  rather  a  thankless  burden;  so  the  ladies  turned 
their  attention  to  the  equipment  and  repair  of  the  dor- 

264 


DR.  KEN D RICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  zO5 

mitory  itself.  In  this  work  Mrs.  John  Leverett  and 
others  were  worthily  active,  and  as  a  result  the  rooms 
from  cellar  to  garret  were  papered  and  painted  and  their 
appearance  greatly  improved. 

The  College  was  growing  in  numbers  steadily  and 
surely.  The  addition  of  the  new  schools  of  music,  art, 
business  and  graduate  study  swelled  the  enrollment  and 
thus  proved  the  popularity  of  the  new  policy.  In  the 
years  between  '86  and  '91  the  numbers  in  attendance 
were  respectively  149,  .177,  209,  228  and  272,  including 
the  non-resident  students  in  the  graduate  department. 

On  the  morning  of  Friday,  December  13,  1889,  the 
College  was  'deprived  of  one  of  its  staunchest  friends. 
The  death  of  Washington  Leverett  removed  a  man  who 
had  been  identified  with  the  school  for  a  period  of  fifty- 
three  years.  He  held  at  one  time  or  another  during  this 
period  the  offices  of  principal  of  the  preparatory  school, 
professor  in  the  College,  acting  president  of  the  College, 
trustee,  treasurer  and  librarian.  As  a  teacher  he  was 
painstaking  and  exact,  as  an  administrator  cautious  and 
diligent,  as  a  man  sincere  in  character  and  true  in  friend- 
ship. Companionship  with  him  was  a  delight.  He  came 
to  Shurtleff  full  of  the  hope  and  vigor  of  youth.  He 
died  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-four.  In  the  early  strug- 
gles of  the  College,  when  her  men  were  obliged  to  make 
bricks  without  straw,  his  scholarship  and  consecration 
were  an  inestimable  boon.  In  later  days  his  kindly  face 
and  wise  counsel  were  a  benediction  to  teachers  and  stu- 
dents alike. 

Those  who  are  most  thoroughly  conversant  with  the 
religious  and  intellectual  development  of  Shurtleff  Col- 
lege honor  with  deepest  and  most  reverent  affection  the 
names  of  the  twin  brothers,  Washington  and  Warren 
Leverett.  Alike  in  culture  of  soul  and  charm  of  personal- 


260  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ity  they  were  in  no  sense  mere  counterparts  or  copies  of 
each  other.  One  felt  in  each  the  force  of  an  original 
and  vigorous  individual  life,  Washington,  the  elder,  was 
perhaps  more  technical  and  precise,  a  trifle  sterner  in 
manner,  with  peculiar  gifts  as  an  administrator.  War- 
ren, the  younger,  was  rather  in 'mental  mould  the  classi- 
cist, in  manner  easier  of  approach,  very  near  and  dear  to 
every  student's  heart. 

The  secret  forces  that  make  for  power  wrought  might- 
ily in  these  two  men.  Their  fame  is  not  widely  known 
in  the  high  places  of  our  land.  Theirs  were  the  larger 
and  deeper  things  of  life.  Theirs  the  serene  yet  stupendous 
influence  that  enters  the  heart,  that  shapes  men,  that 
settles  sound  convictions  in  young  minds,  that  safeguards 
great  principles,  that  serves  steadily  in  the  place  of  duty, 
that  lifts  other  eager  souls  to  seats  of  eminence. 

Each  bore  without  abuse  "the  grand  old  name  of  gen- 
tleman." And  what  elements  go  to  make  the  gentle- 
man? Shall  we  say  strength?  These  men  were  strong 
with  undying  majesty  of  character.  Shall  we  say  cour- 
tesy? These  men  were  models  of  kindly  graciousness. 
Shall  we  say  selflessness?  These  man  gave  long  years 
of  toil  and  rich  treasure  of  affectionate  self-denial  to 
their  pupils,  and  by  them  to  the  world.  Not  in  records 
of  boards,  nor  in  financial  campaigns,  nor  in  brilliant  pub- 
lic appeals,  did  they  blazon  their  names  in  the  annals  of 
ShurtlefFs  developing  life.  They  writ  their  names  not 
large  but  deep.  They  built  for  eternity.  They  wrought 
in  the  love  of  God  for  the  Christian  manhood  of  the 
future.  Theirs  therefore  the  highest  wisdom  and  theirs 
the  worthiest  praise. 

Both  Washington  and  Warren  'Leverett  were  identified 
with  the  College  in  every  period  of  crisis  through  which 
it  passed,  and  to  their  heroic  devotion  in  times  of  great 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  267 

danger  and  stress  is  due  the  very  existence  of  the  insti- 
tution today.  They  were  not  mere  lecturers,  mere  in- 
structors, mere  disciplinarians.  They  possessed  the  spirit 
and  instincts  of  the  true  educator.  They  understood  the 
use  of  the  personal  factor.  They  entered  into  the  lives 
of  their  students  as  a  directing  force. 

They  were  wise  counsellors.  They  knew  thoroughly 
the  needs  and  the  ambitions  that  centre  in  the  life  of  the 
ardent  seeker  after  truth.  They  could  guard  the  impet- 
uous steps  and  inspire  the  vague  yearnings  of  youth. 
They  were  in  close  and  vital  sympathy  with  student  ideals, 
being  students  themselves  as  well  as  teachers.  They  were 
consulted  freely  and  often  on  all  manner  of  subjects,  and 
their  response  was  ever  hearty  and  helpful.  Such  men, 
in  positions  of  responsible  influence,  guiding  the  destinies 
of  young  manhood,  were  in  themselves  a  triumphant  jus- 
tification of  the  place  and  worth  of  "the  smaller  college." 

They  were  scholarly  men.  Their  years  of  successful 
study  at  Brown  and  at  Newton  had  laid  a  goodly  foun- 
dation, and  imparted  a  zeal  for  knowledge.  Their  minds 
were  well  disciplined  and  thoroughly  cultivated.  Had 
they  followed  the  bent  of  their  own  inclinations  they 
would  doubtless  have  become  specialists  in  the  depart- 
ments of  mathematics  and  classics,  respectively.  But  the 
demands  were  so  varied,  the  pressure  so  strong,  the  labor- 
ers so  few,  that  they  were  obliged  to  abandon  any  such 
pleasant  dreams  and  undertake  many  and  diverse  duties. 
For  years  nearly  all  of  the  teaching  in  the  College  was 
done  by  these  two  honored  men.  Yet  the  eager  verdict 
of  the  army  of  students  who  sat  under  their  instruction, 
rising  in  a  single  and  unanimous  voice,  attests  the  care- 
fulness of  their  teaching,  the  skill  of  their  methods,  the 
exactness  of  their  knowledge. 

Above  all  they  were  Christian  men — and  this  accounts 


268  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

for  all  else.  Their  willingness  to  serve  their  pupils  and 
their  love  for  genuine  scholarship  were  qualities  which 
found  their  focus  in  a  loyal  devotion  to  the  truth,  as 
revealed  in  the  teachings  and  character  of  Christ.  Con- 
cerning the  spirit  which  ruled  their  lives  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Dinnmock,  of  St.  Louis,  a  student  of  the  '405,  writes : 
"During  its  darkest  days  they  literally  carried  Shurtleff 
on  their  shoulders,  and  bore  the  heavy  load  without  a 
whisper  of  complaint — brave,  true  men  that  they  were. 
My  old  College  never  has  had,  never  will  have,  braver 
and  truer  ones,  if  it  lives  a  thousand  years."  The  char- 
acter and  work  of  such  men  are  indeed  "a  sweet  savor 
of  life  unto  life." 

Less  than  three  months  after  the  death  of  Professor 
Leverett  the  even  tenor  of  the  College  life  was  disturbed 
by  a  sad  and  startling  event.  The  house  of  Hon.  D. 
B.  Gillham,  the  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
the  College,  was  entered  by  burglars,  and  in  his  effort 
to  resist  them  Mr.  Gillham  was  fatally  wounded.  He 
died  on  the  sixth  day  of  April,  and  his  funeral  was 
attended  by  the  students  and  faculty  in  a  body,  by  the 
governor  of  Illinois  and  by  many  distinguished  men  from 
various  parts  of  the  state.  His  death  removed  from  the 
College  a  vigorous  ally  and  a  wise  leader.  His  prominence 
in  political  and  agricultural  circles  had  a  distinct  bearing 
upon  the  welfare  of  the  College,  and  played  a  consider- 
able part  in  enlarging  the  sphere  of  its  activities. 

Though  the  removal  of  Dr.  Leverett  and  Mr.  Gillham 
was  a  severe  blow,  new  friends  and  old  were  planning 
for  its  future  growth.  On  New  Year's  day  Mr.  W.  E. 
Hayward,  of  Pana,  had  sent  a  check  for  four  hundred  dol- 
lars to  Dr.  Fairman,  to  be  used  in  the  purchase  of  appa- 
ratus for  the  department  of  physics.  This  was  practically 
the  beginning  of  the  physical  laboratory,  for  the  equip- 


DR.  KEN D RICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  269 

ment  prior  to  the  time  of  this  unexpected  gift  was  exceed- 
ingly scant.  Mr.  Hayward  has  been  a  generous  benefactor 
of  the  School  during  the  past  decade,  and  on  many  occa- 
sions has  contributed  to  its  needs.  He  had  recently  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Dr.  Fairman,  and  was  so  deeply 
impressed  with  the  worth  and  devotion  of  the  man 
that  he  began  the  new  year  by  a  generous  donation  to 
the  department  over  which  he  presided. 

The  College  had  had  a  gymnasium  once  upon  a  time, 
but  it  was  a  lean  and  hungry  affair,  so  at  last  it  was 
torn  down  by  the  students  themselves.  As  it  had  served 
the  purpose  of  a  barn  and  stable  for  horses,  as  well  as 
that  of  a  home  for  physical  culture,  its  destruction  was  un- 
doubtedly a  blessing  without  disguise.  A  larger  and  more 
complete  equipment  became  a  necessity.  So  in  the  course 
of  the  winter  months  of  '89  and  '90  a  movement  began 
among  the  students  looking  to  the  establishment  of  a 
gymnasium  worthy  of  the  name.  As  sentiment  would 
not  build  it  and  money  was  not  plentiful,  the  boys  made 
an  appeal  to  the  governing  powers.  The  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, according  to  custom,  pleaded  interest  but  inability. 
President  Kendrick,  however,  took  hold  of  the  matter 
with  a  strong  hand.  On  class  day,  when  of  all  times  in  the 
year  college  spirit  and  patriotic  zeal  run  high,  he  proposed 
that  a  gymnasium  be  built.  A  representative  audience 
had  gathered  in  Chapel  Hall.  The  orations  and  declama- 
tions of  the  undergraduates  had  been  given.  The  propo- 
sition was  made  without  previous  warning,  but  the  time 
and  the  occasion  were  opportune,  and  within  fifteen  min- 
utes five  hundred  dollars  had  been  subscribed.  A  general 
committee  of  students  was  at  once  organized  and  went  to 
work  with  fine  spirit.  In  June  the  executive  committee  of 
the  trustees  were  authorized  to  break  ground  for  the 
building,  but  memories  of  the  corner  stone  laying  of  1865 


270  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

and  its  sorry  sequel  caused  them  to  move  prudently,  so 
break  ground  they  did  not.  After  a  few  personal  inter- 
views, however,  and  a  few  urgent  letters,  the  trustees 
brought  victory  into  view. 

The  gift  of  one  thousand  dollars  from  David  Pierson,  of 
Carrollton,  made  the  gymnasium  a  realizable  quantity.  Its 
walls  went  up  rapidly  and  in  November  it  was  ready  for 
occupancy.  Dr.  J.  W.  Ford,  the  pastor  of  the  Second  Bap- 
tist Church,  St.  Louis,  and  the  successor  of  Mr.  Gill- 
ham  as  president  of  the  Board,  delivered  the  address  at 
the  opening.  Professor  O.  P.  Seward,  the  new  instructor 
in  physical  culture,  entered  upon  his  duties  at  once. 
Little  by  little  during  the  years  the  amount  of  apparatus 
has  been  increased,  until  an  excellent  provision  for  the 
requirements  of  the  department  has  been  reached. 

Larger  and  more  important  plans  were  gradually  ma- 
turing. The  announcement  was  made  in  February,  1891, 
that  the  American  Baptist  Education  Society  had  prom- 
ised to  the  College  a  gift  of  ten  thousand  dollars  on  condi- 
tion that  an  additional  forty  thousand  dollars  should  be 
secured  in  the  field.  In  order  that  the  success  of  the  un- 
dertaking might  be  ensured,  Dr.  Kendrick  was  asked  to 
relinquish  his  duties  at  the  College  and  devote  his  time  to 
a  canvass  for  the  funds  necessary  to  meet  the  conditional 
pledge  of  the  Education  Society.  As  soon  as  the  com- 
mencement season  was  over  the  active  canvass  was  begun. 
There  was  just  one  year  in  which  to  secure  the  desired 
amount  and  it  was  therefore  necessary  to  obtain  an  aver- 
age of  nearly  one  thousand  dollars  per  week.  Dr.  Ken- 
drick was  aided  during  a  part  of  the  time  by  Dr.  Bulkley, 
but  he  carried  forward  unaided  much  of  the  planning, 
travelling  and  pleading.  During  the  summer  the  sub- 
scription list  rose  to  eight  thousand  dollars.  The  real 
work  began  at  that  point,  for  those  who  gave  first  were 


DR..  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  271 

chiefly  those  who  were  most  deeply  interested  or  who 
found  it  most  easy  to  contribute. 

The  College  had  recently  suffered  a  severe  affliction 
in  the  death  of  one  of  its  tried  friends,  whose  knowl- 
edge of  business  affairs  would  have  been  of  great 
service  in  the  campaign  for  endowment.  The  loss 
of  Professor  George  B.  Dodge  was  an  even  more 
serious  event.  He  was  struck  by  an  express  train  as 
he  was  crossing  the  tracks  at  the  Upper  Alton  railway 
station  and  was  instantly  killed.  No  sadder  event  has 
occurred  in  the  history  of  the  School.  He  was  an  alum- 
nus of  the  College  in  the  class  of  1857,  the  principal  of 
Shurtleff  Academy  from  1870  to  1882,  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  from  1882  to  1889,  and  treasurer 
of  the  College  from  1888  until  his  death  on  the  sixth 
of  February,  1891.  He  had  also  held  positions  of  respons- 
ibility in  other  institutions.  Immediately  upon  gradu- 
ating he  went  to  teach  in  the  asylum  for  deaf-mutes 
at  Jacksonville.  After  filling  that  position  for  several 
years  he  enjoyed  a  period  of  foreign  travel,  and  returned 
to  assume  the  chair  of  Greek  at  Illinois  College.  He 
had  also  had  some  years'  experience  as  principal  of 
important  public  schools  before  his  call  to  his  Alma 
Mater.  Coming  again  in  the  fulness  of  his  vigor,  and 
with  a  natural  culture  enriched  by  his  years  of  study  and 
travel,  he  brought  both  power  and  enthusiasm  to  the 
school.  To  a  thoroughly  disciplined  intellect  and 
fine  ability  as  a  teacher  and  leader  of  youth  he 
joined  a  wonderfully  genial  disposition,  and  as  well 
a  sound  judgment  in  all  practical  affairs.  His  loss  was 
deeply  and  widely  mourned.  During  quite  a  lengthy 
period  both  he  and  his  accomplished  wife  were  members 
of  the  faculty,  and  their  influence  over  the  lives  of  the 
students  was  most  healthful  and  inspiring. 

Though  deprived  of  the  counsel  of  Dr.  Leverett,  Mr. 


272  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

Gillham,  Mr.  Dodge  and  Mr.  Pierson,  all  of  whom  had 
been  his  fellow-counsellors  in  earlier  years,  Dr.  Kendrick 
carried  forward  his  canvass  with  a  zeal  that  was  con- 
tagious. The  College  itself  was  in  a  promising  condition. 
The  boys'  dormitory  had  been  completely  renovated  by 
the  ladies  of  Upper  Alton  during  the  summer.  Before 
the  autumn  term  was  ten  days  old  nearly  one  hundred  new 
students  had  presented  themselves.  In  the  previous 
school  year  the  enrollment  had  reached  two  hundred  and 
seventy-two,  the  largest  since  the  founding  of  the  school. 
Most  of  these  were  registered  in  the  many  special  schools. 
The  instructors  were  interested  in  their  teaching, 
although  by  the  operation  of  the  pro  rata  system  of  pay- 
ment their  salaries  were  a  somewhat  uncertain  quantity, 
and  they  could  never  expect  to  have  them  paid  in  full, 
unless  the  College  should  run  absolutely  without  deficit. 
This  plan,  which  had  been  in  force  for  five  years,  although 
heroic  in  the  extreme,  in  its  bearing  upon  the  personal 
life  of  the  professor,  as  a  matter  of  financial  policy  was 
quite  beyond  criticism.  It  was  heartily  approved  by  the 
trustees,  who  stated  in  definite  terms  that  "the  burden 
which  it  imposes  upon  the  members  of  the  faculty  is  much 
more  than  counterbalanced  by  its  merit,  in  that  it  rescues 
the  College  from  the  insupportable  burden  of  accumulat- 
ing debt."1  According  to  the  provisions  of  the  pro  rata 
rule  the  amounts  received  in  the  way  of  interest  and  the 
term-bills  of  students  were  divided  into  three  parts.  One 
of  these,  consisting  of  the  lecture  and  library  fees,  was 
reserved  for  the  payment  of  lectures  and  for  the 

'An  unprejudiced  observer,  if  he  happened  to  be  in  a  critical  mood,  might  say 
that  this  arrangement,  translated  into  open  language,  meant  that  "the  burden  of 
deficits  is  henceforth  to  be  shifted  from  the  shoulders  of  the  trustees  to  the  shoulders 
of  the  long-suffering  professors. ' ' 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  273 

librarian's  salary.  Another  part,  consisting  of  seven- 
teen hundred  and  fifty  dollars  annually,  was  desig- 
nated for  the  payment  of  general  college  expenses. 
All  that  remained  in  the  way  of  income  was 
applied  on  the  salary  account,  payment  being  made  to 
each  member  of  the  faculty  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
of  his  nominal  salary.  The  nominal  salaries  were  small, 
the  real  salaries  were  smaller,  and  the  exact  amount  which 
each  man  would  receive  was  absolutely  uncertain  until 
the  end  of  the  year.  If  by  any  chance  the  balance  of 
income  should  exceed  the.  nominal  salaries  of  the  pro- 
fessors, the  surplus  was  to  be  used  for  general  college 
expenses,  not  applied  as  a  bonus  to  the  overworked 
teachers.  But  such  an  event  never  occurred. 

It  might  be  objected  to  the  pro  rata  plan  that,  with  its 
arbitrary  provisions  and  the  uncertainties  which  it 
involved,  no  men  of  high  scholarship  could  be  induced 
to  come  under  its  ruling  or  submit  to  its  terms.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  however,  the  men  who  were  serving  the 
College  at  the  time  that  this  rule  was  in  force  were  strong 
teachers  who  were  ready  to  sacrifice  many  personal 
ambitions  for  the  sake  of  the  school  which  they  loved. 
One  of  these  grand  men  was  called  home  on  Saturday, 
the  3Oth  of  January,  1892,  after  an  illness  of  four  days. 

The  passing  from  Shurtleff  of  Orlando  L.  Castle  was 
an  event  of  large  significance.  Through  every  sort  of 
experience  the  College  had  taken  its  uneven  course. 
Trials,  bondage,  happy  deliverances,  had  marked  the  suc- 
cessive stages  in  the  evolution  of  its  history.  This  quiet 
man  had  continued  his  conscientious  class-room  labors 
day  by  day,  year  in,  year  out,  for  nearly  forty  years. 
Like  the  Leveretts,  Loomis,  Colby,  Newman,  Peck,  Rus- 
sell, Bradley,  Wooc1  Fairman,  and  Kendrick — almost  all 
of  the  strong  leaders  of  Shurtleff  s  life — he  was  a  native 


274  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

of  New  England.  He  was  born  in  the  Green  Mountain 
State  in  1822.  Throughout  the  days  of  his  childhood 
he  led  the  hardy  outdoor  life  of  a  farmer  boy.  A  mid- 
winter journey  in  an  open  sleigh,  when  he  was  ten  years 
old,  brought  him  with  his  parents  from  Vermont  to  Ohio. 
Here,  in  the  humble  fashion  of  the  pioneer,  the  family 
lived  for  some  time  in  a  rude  log  cabin,  containing  but  a 
single  room.  Consumed  by  a  burning  desire  to  enter  the 
teaching  profession,  he  entered  the  preparatory  depart- 
ment of  Granville  College,  expecting  that  a  single  term 
of  study  would  be  all  that  his  limited  means  would  allow 
him  to  take,  and  hoping  to  secure  in  that  time  such  a 
training  in  elemental  subjects  as  would  enable  him  to 
begin  his  chosen  work.  The  one  term  lengthened  into 
several  years.  He  followed  his  studies  steadily  and  with- 
out interruption  until  his  graduation,  with  the  honors  of 
his  class,  in  1846.  After  a  year  as  tutor  in  his  Alma 
Mater,  and  a  period  of  excellent  service  as  chief  of  the 
public  school  system  of  Zanesville,  Ohio,  he  came  to 
Shurtlefr"  as  professor  of  rhetoric  and  belles  letfres, 
retaining  that  position  until  the  day  of  his  death.  Also 
for  many  years  he  had  entire  charge  of  the  classes  in 
the  department  of  Latin. 

Three  characteristics  stand  forth  clear  and  luminous 
in  his  life.  He  was  modest  and  unassuming  to  the  last 
degree;  he  was  a  scholar,  using  the  term  in  its  specific 
as  well  as  in  its  broader  sense;  he  bowed  with  loving 
reverence  before  the  sovereign  majesty  of  the  Christian 
faith.  Accurate  almost  to  the  point  of  punctiliousness, 
insisting  upon  sound  and  straightforward  work  on  the 
part  of  all  his  pupils,  sparing  no  sluggard,  giving  no 
quarter  to  sloth  or  to  voluble  self-confidence,  his  criticisms 
were  often  severe  though  always  just.  But  fear  was 
overcome  by  love,  and  even  the  students  who  dreaded 


PROFESSOR    ORLANDO    L.    CASTLE. 


DR.  KEN  BRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.        '    275 

his  keen  thrusts  at  shallow  or  imperfect  work  recognized 
his  undeviating  zeal  in  their  interest,  his  devotion  to 
principle,  his  purity  of  soul.  Noble  in  mind  and  in  heart, 
his  chaste  character  glorified  his  worthful  labor  as  a 
teacher  and  his  patient  and  continued  research  as  a 
scholar.  In  the  happy  serenity  of  his  home  life  he  found 
a  sweet  refuge  from  the  cares  which  his  taxing  profes- 
sional duties  laid  upon  him.  That  he  preserved  the  spirit 
of  the  genuine  scholar  among  the  innumerable  duties 
which  weigh  upon  the  teacher  in  the  small  college  is  a 
matter  for  wonder.  He  was  identified  in  a  vital  way 
with  the  College  for  thirty-nine  consecutive  years,  a 
longer  period  of  continuous  service  than  that  of  any  other 
professor  who  has  ever  taught  in  the  school. 

Rev.  W.  H.  H.  Avery,  the  Baptist  pastor  at  Jersey- 
ville,  had  been  called  to  assume  Dr.  Kendrick's  duties 
as  professor  of  intellectual  and  moral  science  and  acting 
professor  of  systematic  theology.  Thus  the  president  was 
free  to  spend  more  of  his  time  in  the  field.  In  October 
eleven  thousand  dollars  had  been  subscribed  and  in  No- 
vember the  amount  had  increased  to  fifteen  thousand. 
In  Springfield  Mr.  Humphrey  gathered  together  a  dozen 
of  the  alumni  and  friends  of  the  College,  and  after  a  sump- 
tuous banquet  at  the  Leland  Hotel,  Dr.  Kendrick  made  a 
stirring  plea,  and  twelve  hundred  dollars  came  freely 
forth  from  those  present  in  the  way  of  response.  In  De- 
cember the  president  reported  to  the  semi-annual  meeting, 
of  the  Board  that  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  still 
remained  unsecured,  although  the  year  wras  half  over. 
Then  began  the  tug-of-war.  In  January  the  list  had 
risen  to  eighteen  thousand  dollars,  with  still  five  months, 
of  opportunity.  In  March  twenty-five  thousand  dollars, 
had  been  pledged,  and  in  April  twenty-eight  thousand,, 
with  only  eight  weeks  remaining.  In  May  the  total  had 


2/6  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

reached  thirty-one  thousand  dollars.  To  collect  nine 
thousand  dollars  in  thirty-one  days  meant  an  average 
of  nearly  two  hundred  dollars  per  day.  Franklin  and 
William  Jewell  Colleges  had  secured  their  amounts,  fifty 
thousand  dollars  and  forty  thousand  dollars,  respectively. 
Their  period  of  probation  expired  on  the  first  of  May,  and 
that  day  found  them  with  a  list  fully  completed.  Their 
success  was  largely  due,  however,  to  the  appointment  of 
special  agents,  who  gave  their  whole  time  to  the  labor  of 
collecting.  In  ShurtlefFs  case  the  services  of  the  presi- 
dent w-ere  constantly  demanded  at  the  College.  The 
steady  progress  which  he  made  in  his  undertaking  was 
therefore  the  more  remarkable. 

With  June  came  the  crowning.  The  fateful  tenth  of 
June  was  a  day  of  rejoicing,  for  on  that  day  was  heralded 
the  triumphant  tidings  that  not  alone  the  necessary 
forty  thousand  dollars  had  been  pledged,  but  some  twenty- 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  extra  to  cover  possible 
shrinkages  and  deficiencies.  It  was  a  grand  work,  well 
planned  and  nobly  executed. 

But  Dr.  Kendrick  was  by  no  means  satisfied.  Even 
in  the  midst  of  his  arduous  canvass  he  had  taken  occasion 
to  insist  again  and  again  that  success  did  not  mean  inertia 
and  indifference  for  the  future ;  but  that  an  effort  should 
immediately  be  put  forth  to  obtain  other  sums  for  inci- 
dental purposes,  such  as  the  erection  of  two  new  buildings 
»and  the  liquidation  of  debts  already  incurred.  During  the 
winter  and  spring  he  issued  several  strong  appeals  for 
an  additional  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  new  buildings  and 
needed  improvements.  In  March  he  announced  that  over 
six  hundred  dollars  had  been  received,  and  additional 
amounts  were  soon  added.  A  wise  use  was  made  of  this 
money  as  it  came  in.  Electric  lights  were  put  in  the 
dormitory  halls;  a  system  of  drainage  was  secured,  and 


DR.  KENDRICK'S  ADMINISTRATION.  277 

the  chapel  was  renovated  and  made  very  attractive.  That 
the  full  amount  asked  for  was  not  contributed  was  due  to 
the  lethargy  of  the  supporters  of  the  school. 

The  subscriptions  that  had  been  made  on  the  new 
endowment  list  were  being  paid  promptly,,  owing  to  the 
careful  oversight  of  the  president  of  the  College,  and  by 
June,  1893,  one  year  after  the  completion  of  the  list, 
more  than  sixteen  thousand  dollars  in  cash  had  been  paid 
by  subscribers  in  the  field,  and  the  proportionate  four 
thousand  dollars  had  been  received  from  the  Education 
Society,  making  a  distinct  addition  to  the  endowment 
funds  of  the  College  of  upward  of  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars. It  is  worthy  of  notice  that  this  amount  consisted 
wholly  of  cash.  Even  with  this  welcome  addition  the 
productive  funds  were  lamentably  small. 

The  autumn  of  1893  began  the  twenty-second  year  of 
Dr.  Kendrick's  presidency.  At  the  following  commence- 
ment he  resigned  his  position  to  accept  the  pastorate  of 
the  Immanuel  Baptist  Church  in  St.  Louis.  In  spite  of 
the  sincere  regrets  of  the  many  friends  of  the  College, 
he  felt  it  his  duty  to  press  his  resignation,  in  order  that  he 
might  resume  the  labors  of  pastor  and  preacher.  By  his 
quiet  persistence  Dr.  Kendrick  had  kept  Shurtleff  in  the 
path  of  progress.  By  his  native  acumen  and  his  years  of 
legal  training  he  had  secured  an  equipment  for  the  per- 
formance of  every  executive  task.  By  the  force  of  his 
teaching  and  the  example  of  his  Christian  manhood  he 
had  inspired  the  soundest  ideals  in  the  minds  of  the  youth 
whom  he  trained.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  presidency  by 
Mr.  Austen  K.  de  Blois,  who  had  been  for  two  years  the 
principal  of  the  Union  Baptist  Seminary  at  St.  Martins, 
New  Brunswick. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  PRESIDENCY  OF  AUSTEN  K.  DE  BLOIS,    1894-1899. 

State  Schools — Buildings  and  Grounds — The  Lend  -  a  -  Hand  Society — Charles 
Fairman — Policy  of  the  new  Administration — Financial  re-adjustment — The 
Faculty  strengthened — The  Seventieth  Commencement — The  teaching,  force 
— Chapel  lectures — Athletics — Chicago  Alumni  Association — A  financial  cam- 
paign— History  of  Alpha  Zeta — Bible  study  introduced — Success  of  "  The 
Review" — Growth:  Scholastic  and  numerical — Justus  Bulkley — Place  and 
worth  of  the  smaller  College. 

The  progress  of  the  smaller  college  was  slow,  while 
its  trials  and  conflicts  were  legion,  in  the  days  when  rival 
schools  were  few  and  far  between.  Within  recent  years 
its  perplexities  have  increased.  A  most  powerful  com- 
petitor has  entered  the  field,  and  by  a  policy  of  affiliation 
and  centralization  is  seeking  to  bind  to  itself  all  educa- 
tional activities  and  agencies.  The  State  School  is  indeed 
a  force  to  be  reckoned  with.  During  the  past  ten  years 
the  University  of  Illinois  has  gained  in  enrollment  more 
than  five  hundred  per  cent,  having  now  about  two 
thousand  students.  The  last  appropriation  of  the  legisla- 
ture for  its  needs  was  four  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
In  other  words,  the  annual  grant  of  this  school, 
now  just  in  process  of  early  development,  is  more  than 
three  times  as  great  as  the  entire  productive  endowment 
of  Shurtleff  College,  with  its  seventy  years  of  life !  In 
the  last  decade  no  State  University  in  America  has  expe- 
rienced such  a  rapid  advance  as  the  University  of  Illinois. 

278 


PRESIDENT   AUSTEN    K.   DE    BLOIS. 


SHl'RTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  279 

Besides,  there  are  four  State  Normal  Universities, 
thronged  with  students,  and  another  is  soon  to  be  estab- 
lished. Though  the  wonderful  growth  of  these  schools 
is  a  cause  for  sincere  congratulation  on  the  part  of  every 
right-thinking  citizen  of  the  commonwealth,  it  makes 
the  place  of  the  denominational  college  increasingly 
perilous. 

Shurtleff  has  suffered,  during  the  last  few  years,  in 
consequence  of  the  presence  of  these  new  conditions. 
Yet  she  has  had  vigorous  teachers  in  her  class-rooms, 
faithful  students  following  her  courses  of  instruction, 
loyal  friends  desiring  and  promoting  her  prosperity.  Nor 
have  indications  of  progress  been  lacking. 

In  the  autumn  of  1895  the  buildings  and  grounds  were 
in  need  of  attention.  Already  the  \vork  of  change  and 
renewal  had  begun,  under  the  direction  of  the  retiring 
president.  The  painting  and  thorough  repair  of  the 
dormitory;  the  renovation  of  the  museum  and  physical 
science  laboratory,  without  and  within;  the  reclassifica- 
tion  of  the  books  in  the  library ;  the  introduction  of  a 
complete  system  of  hot- water  heating  in  the  dormitory, 
and  the  overhauling  and  refurnishing  of  the  boarding 
halls,  were  the  earliest  acts  in  the  history  of  the  new 
administration.  The  ladies  of  Upper  Alton,  entering 
nobly  into  the  spirit  of  the  time,  formed  an  organization 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  forward  under  their  own 
auspices  the  work  which  had  just  been  begun.  Thus 
came  into  being  the  "Shurtleff  Lend-a-Hand  Society." 

A  series  of  concerts  and  entertainments  was  held 
during  the  winter  months,  the  programmes  for  the  sev- 
eral occasions  being  furnished  and  the  arrangements 
made  by  special  committees  appointed  for  the  purpose. 
The  proceeds,  amounting  in  all  to  some  six  or  seven  hun- 
dred dollars,  were  wisely  spent  in  the  beautifying  of  the 


280  .       THE  PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

campus.  The  most  important  undertaking  upon  which  the 
ladies  entered  was  the  transformation  of  the  ancient  cellar 
which  for  thirty  years  had  been  an  eyesore  to  the  beholder. 
When  in  1865  the  trustees  indulged  in  bold  planning,  but 
fell  short  in  victorious  achieving,  they  laid  the  corner- 
stone of  a  building  that  was  never  built.  Thousands  of 
dollars  were  spent  in  excavating  an  immense  cellar,  which 
remained  through  all  the  years  a  yawning  and  dangerous 
pit,  aiding  and  abetting  the  abundant  gro\vth  of  weeds 
and  collecting  the  refuse  of  stoves  and  storerooms.  Act- 
ing under  the  advice  of  the  superintendent  of  Shaw's 
Gardens  in  St.  Louis,  the  society  decided  that  the  cellar, 
instead  of  being  filled  and  levelled  off,  should  be  carefully 
graded  at  the  sides,  'traversed  by  a  winding  walk,  and 
adorned  with  flowers  and  costly  urns  containing  plants 
and  vines.  The  stone  stairways  and  rustic  seats  added 
to  the  attractiveness  of  the  old  cellar,  now  transformed 
into  a  garden  spot. 

Owing  doubtless  to  the  retirement  of  Dr.  Kendrick 
from  the  presidency,  and  the  uncertainty  which  usually 
attends  the  opening  of  a  new  administration,  the  year's 
work  was  not  in  every  way  a  success.  There  was  a  per- 
ceptible lack  of  energy  among  the  students.  Though  the 
enrollment  reached  a  maximum  of  two  hundred  for  the 
year,  several  of  those  were  partial-course  theological  stu- 
dents, many  were  pursuing  a  brief  business  course,  and 
aboat  twenty  were  following  graduate  courses  out  of  resi- 
dence. In  the  first  term  there  were  thirty-three  regular 
college  students,  of  whom  about  two-thirds  were  young 
ladies.  In  the  second  term  the  number  fell  to  twenty-nine. 
There  was  only  one  professor  devoting  his  entire  time  to 
the  instruction  of  college  classes.  This  one,  Dr.  Charles 
Fainnan,  possessed  rare  abilities  as  a  teacher.  To  the 
sorrow  of  every  friend  of  Shurtleff,  far  and  near,  this 


SHVRTLEFF'S  LATEST  YEARS.       281 

venerated  Christian  scholar  and  educator  was  smitten 
on  the  ninth  of  February  with  an  attack  of  pneumonia, 
and  died  five  days  later. 

Dr.  Fairman  had  taught  at  Shurtleff  continuously  for 
nearly  twenty  years,  and  during  that  lengthy  period  had 
never  been  absent  from  a  regular  recitation  of  any  of  his 
classes.  His  life  had  been  essentially  that  of  a  scholar 
and  student.  He  was  born  in  Northfield,  Mass.,  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  he  graduated  from  Water- 
ville  College  in  Maine.  He  at  once  began  teaching, 
accepting  the  principalship  of  the  Institute  at  Litchfield, 
Maine,  as  soon  as  his  studies  were  completed  and  remain- 
ing there  for  three  years.  He  was  also  principal  suc- 
cessively of  Yates  Academy,  Medina  Academy,  Xunda 
Academy,  and  Cook  Academy,  all  of  them  in  the  state 
of  New  York.  The  rest  of  his  active  life  was  spent  at 
Upper  Alton.  He  was  especially  famous  among  his 
students  for  the  accuracy  of  his  knowledge  and  for  his 
rare  skill  as  a  teacher.  One  of  his  pupils  says  of  him 
that  he  was  in  love  with  knowledge,  and  that  knowledge 
was  a  part  of  his  life ;  that  he  ever  maintained  an  attitude 
of  deepest  reverence  toward  all  truth,  and  that  he  had  the 
instinct  of  the  true  teacher  in  conveying  to  his  pupil's 
mind  the  same  zeal  for  knowledge  and  intense  devotion 
to  truth  which  characterized  his  own  life.  He  was 
exceedingly  humble  and  absolutely  faithful  in  the  noble 
discharge  of  every  duty  that  came  to  his  hand  to  perform. 
His  death  was  universally  mourned.  The  teachers  had 
lost  their  distinguished  colaborer,  the  students  their 
beloved  teacher,  the  church  one  of  its  very  staunchest 
advisers,  the  community  an  energetic  citizen,  who  had 
entered  into  its  counsels  with  unselfish  devotion.  His 
presence  had  gone  far  in  holding  the  interest  of  the 
alumni  in  their  Alma  Mater  after  their  departure  from 


282  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

college  halls.  His  judicious  temper  had  done  much  to 
strengthen  the  bonds  between  church  and  college  and 
between  town  and  college.  It  seemed  now  as  though 
a  death  darkness  were  settling  over  the  school. 

Before  the  opening  of  the  academic  year  the  trustees 
had  directed  that  the  preparatory  department  should 
henceforth  be  conducted  as  an  independent  institution, 
under  the  name  and  title  of  "The  Shurtleff  College 
Academy."  Professor  H.  H.  Tilbe,  a  graduate  of  Shurt- 
leff, who  had  recently  returned  from  India,  where  he  had 
labored  as  a  missionary,  had  been  chosen  as  principal. 
The  academy  remained  under  the  general  control  of  the 
president  of  the  College,  but  all  affairs  of  specific  admin- 
istration were  committed  to  the  charge  of  the  principal. 
The  chapel  services  of  the  two  departments  were  held 
at  different  hours. 

On  the  dreary  winter's  morning  which  followed  the 
day  of  Dr.  Fairman's  death  the  little  company  of  college 
students — very  few  and  very  disconsolate — came  strag- 
gling in  and  took  their  places  at  the  far  end  of  the  chapel. 
A  great  gulf  intervened  between  the  students  and  the 
faculty — a  wilderness  of  empty  seats.  Dr.  Fairman's 
accustomed  place  was  vacant ;  his  chair  was  draped  in 
black.  Gloom  reigned  without  and  within.  None  of 
those  who  were  present  on  that  day  will  ever  forget  the 
sad  weariness  of  spirit  which  hung  like  a  pall  over  the 
little  group  assembled  for  worship,  and  which  wrapped 
in  its  chill  wraith-mist  the  entire  life  of  the  school. 

The  vacancy  now  left  in  the  teaching  staff  was  not  easy 
to  fill.  To  find  a  man  who  would  conduct  successfully 
all  the  work  of  the  two  important  departments  of  mathe- 
matics and  natural  science  was  by  no  means  a  kinder- 
garten task,  especially  in  such  a  day  of  specialists.  After 
patient  consideration  it  was  decided  that  two  new  pro- 


PROFESSOR   CHARLES    FAIRMAN. 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  283 

fessors  should  be  appointed  instead  of  one,  the  depart- 
ments being  differentiated  and  integrated  to  that  extent. 
The  chair  of  mathematics  was  to  be  filled  at  once,  and 
the  chair  of  science  at  the  close  of  the  academic  year. 
After  an  extended  correspondence,  the  trustees  succeeded 
in  securing  Mr.  J.  Archy  Smith,  a  specialist  in  mathe- 
matics, to  take  charge  of  that  branch  of  instruction. 

Mr.  Smith  had  taught  in  several  schools  with  unquali- 
fied success.  For  three  years  previous  to  his  coming  to 
Shurtleff  he  had  held  a  fellowship  in  the  University  of 
Chicago.  In  connection  with  his  university  work  he  had 
given  instruction  to  graduate  students,  conducting  for 
some  time  a  class  composed  largely  of  professors  and 
teachers  of  mathematics  from  various  parts  of  the  Union 
who  were  pursuing  advanced  courses  of  study  at  Chicago. 
He  began  his  duties  at  the  College  within  a  month  after 
the  death  of  Dr.  Fairman.  He  brought  with  him  vigor 
and  enthusiasm. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  a  deficit  of  some  three  thousand 
dollars  on  the  year's  expenses  faced  the  trustees.  Further 
retrenchment  meant  the  extinction  of  the  school,  in  so  far 
as  the  work  of  the  higher  classes  was  concerned,  so  a  plan 
of  enlargement  was  prepared  by  the  president  of  the 
College  and  submitted  to  the  Board.  It  was  considered 
most  seriously  at  successive  meetings  of  the  trustees 
and  executive  committee,  and  was  finally  adopted,  though 
some  of  its  provisions  and  recommendations  were  not 
put  into  formal  shape  or  acted  upon  in  a  definite  way 
until  later.  This  plan,  which  embodied  the  policy  of  the 
administration  during  the  four  following  years,  and 
which  was  carried  forward  usually  with  the  hearty  and 
unanimous  support  of  the  Board,  albeit  at  times  in  the 
face  of  the  opposition  of  one  or  two  of  its  members,  may 
be  brien}-  summarized  as  follows  : 


284  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

The  College  professorships  should  be  filled  by  scholarly 
men,  apt  in  teaching  and  specialists  in  their  respective 
departments.  The  elective  system  should  be  introduced, 
and  its  privileges  should  be  open,  under  proper  restric- 
tions, to  the  members  of  the  three  upper  classes.  The 
science  laboratories  should  be  better  equipped  with  appa- 
ratus. The  aim  of  instructors  and  trustees  alike  should 
be  the  development  of  the  College  and  the  Academy,  the 
promotion  of  the  interests  of  the  students  in  the  four 
college  classes  being  regarded  as  primary  in  importance. 
The  English  theological  school,  the  post-graduate  school, 
the  school  of  art,  the  normal  department,  and  the  busi- 
ness college,  however  important  they  might  be  in  them- 
selves, should  be  discontinued,  unless  the  work  of  any  of 
them  could  be  carried  on  through  a  policy  of  affiliation, 
relieving  the  trustees  of  all  responsibility  for  their  finan- 
cial and  especially  for  their  scholastic  conduct.  A  vigor- 
ous canvass  for  students  should  be  initiated,  and  should 
be  continued  through  the  summer  months  of  each  year. 
In  connection  with  this  plan,  personal  letters,  circulars 
and  advertising  material  should  be  sent  broadcast  through- 
out the  state. 

This  general  policy  seemed  to  be  consistent  with  the 
demands  of  sound  scholarship.  It  was  at  any  rate  a  plain 
and  workable  plan,  and  it  promised  to  promote  the  effi- 
ciency of  the  school  and  the  enlargement  of  its  sphere 
of  influence.  It  did  not,  however,  solve  in  any  direct  or 
satisfactory  way  the  financial  problem  that  was  pressing 
and  perplexing  the  trustees.  A  further  plan  was  there- 
fore outlined  and  adopted,  having  in  view  the  adjustment 
of  affairs  in  this  department.  By  an  arrangement  with 
the  Alton  National  Bank  bonds  were  issued  for  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars,  and  by  the  sale  of  these  the  many 
floating  debts,  with  the  several  mortgages  on  grounds  and 
buildings,  were  cancelled.  Also,  in  order  to  meet  any  de- 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST  YEARS.       285 

ficiencies  that  might  appear  in  the  current  expense  account 
during  the  years  immediately  succeeding,  a  large  number 
of  special  pledges  were  obtained  from  men  of  means  who 
were  friendly  to  the  school.  These  pledges  were  payable 
annually  and  they  proved  to  be  a  most  welcome  and 
substantial  addition  to  the  income  of  the  school. 

The  new  policy  required  a  larger  teaching  staff  than 
had  before  been  employed,  and  time  and  labor  were 
necessary  in  order  to  secure  the  right  men  for  the  various 
positions.  Those  who  were  chosen  soon  proved  by  abun- 
dant evidence  their  qualifications  for  the  work  in  hand. 
Mr.  George  E.  Chipman  became  principal  of  the  Acad- 
emy, succeeding  Mr.  Tilbe,  who  had  resigned.  He  also 
undertook  the  establishment  of  a  department  of  social 
and  political  science,  which  at  once  became  exceedingly 
popular  with  the  students.  By  several  years  of  success- 
ful experience  as  a  teacher  and  by  extended  courses  of 
graduate  study  at  Harvard  University,  where  he  had  just 
been  offered  an  instructorship,  Mr.  Chipman  had  pre- 
pared himself  for  his  new  duties.  During  his  four  years 
at  Shurtleff  the  effect  of  his  influence  was  felt  very  power- 
fully throughout  the  School.  His  zeal  for  high  scholar- 
ship, his  wonderful  gifts  as  a  teacher,  and  his  deep  and 
genuine  love  for  young  men  made  every  member  of  the 
College  community  his  loyal  friend,  and  created  for  him 
a  chivalrous  and  enthusiastic  devotion  on  the  part  of  the 
entire  student  body.  Two  other  new  members  of  the 
faculty  were  Mr.  Samuel  E.  Swartz,  who  came  to  the 
chair  of  natural  science,  and  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Todd,  who 
took  charge  of  the  English  literature  and  elocution.  Mr. 
Swartz  had  been  a  public  school  man  for  many  years  and 
had  filled  important  positions.  During  the  three  years 
preceding  the  commencement  of  his  professorship  he  had 
held  a  fellowship  at  the  University  of  Chicago,  where  he 


286  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

had  specialized  in  the  departments  of  chemistry  and 
physics.  From  that  institution  he  soon  after  obtained 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  He  was  not  only 
thoroughly  conversant  with  the  needs  and  work  of  his 
department,  but  had  proved  his  ability  as  a  teacher.  Mr. 
Todd  was  a  graduate  of  Acadia  College  in  Nova  Scotia. 
He  had  studied  at  the  Boston  School  of  Expression  and 
had  taught  for  some  time.  Professor  Smith  had  returned, 
after  spending  the  summer  in  teaching  and  study  at  the 
University  of  Chicago,  and  Dr.  Bulkley  and  Professor 
Cloran  were  in  readiness  to  take  up  the  duties  of  their 
respective  departments.  The  faculty  throughout  was 
able,  wideawake  and  efficient. 

Thus  Dr.  Fairman's  work  had  been  divided  between 
two  strong  men,  and  the  courses  of  study  in  each  of  the 
two  departments  had  been  broadened.  One  new  and 
very  important  department  had  been  established.  Beyond 
this  the  necessity  for  additional  apparatus  for  use  in 
the  science  course  was  now  supplied.  The  president  had 
stated  in  a  meeting  of  the  Board  the  fact  of  weakness 
at  this  point  and  almost  instantly  one  of  the  members 
of  the  body — Mr.  W.  E.  Hayward — had  bidden  him  "ob- 
tain the  necessary  equipment  and  send  the  bills  to  me." 
This  injunction  was  obeyed  and  with  alacrity.  The  presi- 
dent and  two  members  of  the  faculty  had  spent  the  sum- 
mer in  an  active  canvass  for  students,  so  that  when  the 
sessions  of  the  next  school  year  began  there  was  a  large 
accession  of  new  students. 

With  the  enlargement  of  the  science  laboratories,  the 
strengthening  of  the  faculty,  and  the  increase  in  student 
enrollment,  the  year  began  auspiciously.  It  ran  through 
to  the  close  very  quietly,  swiftly,  and  successfully.  The 
next  year  was  equally  prosperous.  The  number  of  col- 
lege students  again  increased,  while  the  faculty  remained 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST  YEARS.       287 

the  same,  except  that  Mr.  Robert  E.  P.  Kline  took  the 
place  of  Mr.  Todd  as  instructor  in  English  and  elocution. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  the  seventieth  anniversary  of 
the  founding  of  the  College  was  celebrated  with  quite 
elaborate  exercises.  The  occasion  was  also  made  deeply 
interesting  by  the  fact  that  fifty  years  had  gone  since 
the  graduation  of  Dr.  Justus  Bulkley,  the  professor  of 
history.  A  special  "jubilee"  service  in  his  honor  was 
held  on  Wednesday  evening  of  commencement  week.  A 
great  congregation,  composed  of  trustees,  teachers,  stu- 
dents, alumni  from  far  and  near,  citizens  of  the  Altons 
and  visitors,  gathered  in  the  Baptist  church  to  do  honor 
to  the  "oldest  living  graduate."  In  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember, 1841,  Justus  Bulkley  had  landed  from  a  river 
boat  at  "lower  town,"  on  his  way  to  obtain  an  education. 
Finding  that  the  school  was  three  miles  distant,  and 
that  a  fee  was  charged  for  transportation  thither,  he 
shouldered  the  small  trunk  that  contained  all  his  earthly 
belongings  and  walked  to  the  College  over  the  rough  and 
hilly  road  that  led  to  the  upper  town.  Six  years  later  he 
received  his  bachelor's  degree  from  the  College. 

At  the  jubilee  a  series  of  commemorative  addresses 
were  given  by  speakers  who  represented  the  various 
decades  in  the  history  of  the  school.  Rev.  Howard  R. 
Chapman  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  spoke  for  "Shurtleff  in 
the  '905,"  referring  in  touching  terms  to  Professors 
Castle  and  Fairman,  the  memory  of  whose  lives  was  a 
constant  stimulus  to  high  endeavor.  Rev.  Robert  C. 
Denison,  of  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  represented  the  '8os; 
Rev.  E.  C.  Sage,  Ph.  D.,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  the  '705, 
and  Rev.  H.  H.  Branch,  of  Carbondale,  "the  theologues." 
Dr.  Sage's  reverent  words  were  echoed  with  a  full-voiced 
"amen"  from  several  old  graduates  in  the  audience  as  he 
said :  "After  a  lapse  of  nineteen  years  I  stand  upon 


288  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ground  every  foot  of  which  is  sacred  with  the  memory 
of  the  brightest  years  that  come  to  mortal  man.  I  come 
to  lay  my  tribute  of  undying  love  upon  the  shrine  known 
here  and  everywhere  by  the  fond  name  of  'Old  Shurt- 
Leff .'  " 

It  happened  very  happily  that  Mrs.  C.  B.  Roberts,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Bulkley  and  the  first  lady  graduate  of 
Shurtleff,  was  present  at  the  anniversaries.  She  made  a 
charming  address  in  which  she  recalled  the  repeated  and 
urgent  petitions  which  she  and  Miss  Read  had  presented 
to  the  lawfully  constituted  authorities,  begging  to  be 
allowed  to  enter  upon  the  regular  college  course,  and 
the  reluctant  consent  which  at  last  they  succeeded  in 
securing.  She  contrasted  the  strict  proprieties  of  those 
days  with  the  privilege  and  freedom  of  the  present,  show- 
ing the  steady  growth  of  the  coeducational  idea  in  the 
quarter  of  a  century  which  had  elapsed  since  Shurtleff 
threw  down  her  barriers  and  opened  wide  her  doors. 

Mr.  H.  M.  Carr  responded  for  the  '6os,  dwelling  to 
the  delight  and  edification  of  his  hearers  upon  the  exciting 
days  of  the  war  and  the  progress  of  the  College  under 
the  able  leadership  of  Dr.  Read  and  in  spite  of  toil  and 
trouble.  Rev.  J.  C.  Maple,  D.  D.,  of  Keokuk,  Iowa,  for 
"Shurtleff  Ante-Bellum"  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Jackson,  D.  D., 
of  Chicago,  for  the  '505,  carried  the  audience  far  back 
through  the  years  to  that  well-nigh  forgotten  period  of 
ShurtlefFs  far-away  youth.  Many  names  of  students  and 
teachers  were  unfamiliar,  many  were  known  to  have  gone 
to  their  rest  long  since,  and  tears  came  to  the  eyes  and 
an  ache  to  the  heart  as  these  men  of  the  older  genera- 
tion spoke  of  their  school-boy  days.  Dr.  Bulkley  himself 
spoke  for  the  '405.  In  a  few  words  and  with  deep 
feeling  he  referred  to  the  changes  which  half  a  century 
had  wrought ;  then  with  bowed  head  he  thanked  the 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  289 

speakers  and  friends  for  their  testimonies  of  esteem, 
declaring  with  characteristic  modesty  his  own  unworthi- 
ness  of  any  such  honors. 

The  end  of  the  line  had  not  yet  been  reached.  No 
more  witty  or  sparkling  address  was  given  through 
the  evening  than  that  of  the  veteran  editor  of 
the  St.  Louis  "Christian  Repository,"  Dr.  S.  H.  Ford, 
who  told  of  men  and  things  at  Shurtleff  in  the  '305.  The 
congregation  was  melted  alternately  to  laughter  and  to 
tears  by  the  pathos  and  ardor  of  the  address  of  this 
old  warrior,  and  the  dramatic  effect  was  heightened  by 
the  rolling  thunder,  the  vivid  lightning  and  the  pouring 
rain ;  for  the  length  of  the  programme  or  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  hour  had  very  seriously  disturbed  the  elemental 
forces  of  nature,  and  a  fierce  storm  was  raging  without. 

The  roll  call  of  the  graduates  was  then  read.  Dr.  Bulk- 
ley,  of  the  class  of  '47,  was  the  first  to  respond,  but  as 
the  names  for  succeeding  years  were  called  one  rose  here, 
and  another  yonder,  and  all  remained  standing  until 
upward  of  fifty  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Shurtleff, 
representing  the  various  epochs  in  the  long  half  century, 
and  every  period  of  life  from  youth  to  old  age,  had  risen 
to  their  feet  and  were  standing  in  different  parts  of 
the  great  congregation.  It  was  an  impressive  rallying 
of  forces.  The  president  read  also  a  large  number  of 
letters  from  absent  alumni,  filled  with  cordial  greetings 
and  happy  reminiscences.  The  two  ex-presidents  of  the 
College  were  then  heard  from,  the  one,  Dr.  Read,  in  a 
long  and  affectionate  letter  containing  all  sorts  of  kindly 
messages ;  the  other,  Dr.  Kendrick,  in  a  helpful  address, 
which  was  listened  to  with  great  attention.  He  spoke 
of  his  intimate  association  with  Dr.  Bulkley  and  expressed 
his  conviction  that  the  latter,  in  the  course  of  his  lengthy 
pilgrimages  in  behalf  of  the  College,  had  somewhere 


290  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

discovered  the  fabled  "fountain  of  youth."  These  words 
were  a  preliminary  to  the  unveiling  of  a  life-size  vignette 
portrait  of  Dr.  Bulkley,  upon  which  Mr.  Paul  E.  Harney, 
an  artist  of  superior  skill,  had  been  engaged  for  some 
time.  The  appearance  of  the  portrait  was  a  signal  for 
hearty  and  long-continued  applause.  This  was  closely 
followed  by  a  series  of  class  and  college  yells,  and  finally 
by  three  rousing  cheers,  led  by  the  president  and  par- 
ticipated in  by  all  present.  A  reception  at  the  home  of 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bulkley,  which,  in  spite  of  the  lateness  of 
the  hour,  was  attended  by  a  host  of  friends,  closed  the 
"Bulkley  Jubilee  Celebration." 

There  were  ten  public  meetings  during  the  commence- 
ment season.  About  fifty  different  speakers  were  on 
the  programme,  of  whom  all  except  three  met  their 
appointments  promptly.  The  address  before  the  literary 
societies  was  given  by  Rev.  P.  S.  Henson,  D.  D.,  of 
Chicago,  and  the  sermon  before  the  religious  organiza- 
tions by  Rev.  W.  W.  Boyd,  D.  D.,  of  St.  Louis.  On 
Tuesday  evening  a  mass  meeting  was  held  in  the  interests 
of  higher  education,  and  addresses  were  given  by  prom- 
inent educators,  representing  both  State  and  Christian 
institutions.  The  next  day  a  denominational  rally  brought 
together  many  of  the  leaders  in  the  various  departments 
of  church  activity. 

Thursday  was  a  typical  commencement  day.  Soft 
breezes  and  happy  sunshine,  with  the  gentle  rustling  of 
the  mighty  oaks  on  the  college  campus,  gave  a  touch  of 
dreamy  beauty  to  the  scene.  The  important  items  in 
the  programme  of  exercises  for  the  morning  were  the 
addresses  by  the  Hon.  Francis  W.  Parker  of  Chicago 
on  "Greater  America,"  and  by  Dr.  Bulkley  on  "Shurtleff's 
Seventy  Years  of  History."  At  the  alumni  dinner  a 
poem,  well  befitting  the  occasion  and  replete  with  loyal 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  291 

sentiments  concerning  the  past  and  ardent  faith  for  the 
future,  was  read  by  Rev.  C.  A.  Hobbs,  D.  D.,  of  Delavan, 
Wisconsin.  The  anniversary  of  1897,  the  "Septuagesima" 
of  Shurtleff,  thus  drew  to  a  joyful  close.  Its  like  had 
never  been  known  before.  Seventy  of  the  full  graduates  of 
the  College  were  in  attendance  at  one  time  or  another  dur- 
ing the  week,  while  upward  of  two  hundred  old  students, 
including  graduates  and  those  who  left  school  before 
the  completion  of  their  course,  aided  by  their  presence 
the  interchange  of  sacred  and  joyous  reminiscences. 
Messages  were  received  from  almost  every  living  gradu- 
ate. The  return  to  their  Alma  Mater  of  so  many  men 
of  "the  older  age"  lent  a  spirit  of  indescribable  interest 
to  all  the  exercises,  while  the  presence  of  so  large  a 
number  of  eminent  speakers  gave  dignity  to  the  occasion. 
With  June  of  1897  there  closed  two  years  of  foundation 
laying.  The  devising  of  plans  and  the  inauguration  of 
new  methods  of  work  had  taken  time  and  toil.  There 
followed  two  years  of  large  achievement,  through  the 
devoted  labors  of  the  members  of  the  teaching  staff  and 
the  growing  co-operation  of  churches  and  friends  in 
the  central  and  northern  portions  of  the  state.  The 
success  of  the  seventieth  commencement  was  also  a  pow- 
erful factor  in  the  forward  movement,  so  widely  was 
it  reported  and  discussed.  The  College  attendance  became 
greater  each  year,  and  although  the  class  of  1897  was 
the  largest  that  had  ever  graduated  from  the  College 
and  its  outgoing  made  thus  a  heavy  inroad  upon  the 
school  numerically,  the  autumn  opening  found  a  larger 
attendance  gathered  than  at  any  previous  period  in  the 
history  of  the  institution.  The  gain  in  the  grade  of 
scholarship  and  the  quality  of  the  work  done  in  the  class- 
room were  even  more  noticeable  than  the  gratifying  in- 
crease in  the  number  of  students. 


292  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

A  few  changes  were  made  in  the  faculty.  Mr.  Goran 
and  Mr.  Smith  having  resigned,  the  College  was  fortu- 
nate enough  to  obtain,  in  their  place  Mr.  Charles  H. 
Day,  M.  A.,  as  professor  of  modern  languages  and  Mr. 
Victor  L.  Duke,  B.  A.,  as  professor  of  mathematics.  Mr. 
Day  had  taken  extended  graduate  courses  at  Brown  Uni- 
versity and  in  the  University  of  Berlin.  Because  of  his 
fine  culture  and  genuine  Christian  manhood  he  soon 
won  the  admiration  and  love  of  the  student  body.  The 
lofty  character  of  the  man  was  in  itself  an  ennobling 
influence.  His  elective  courses  were  exceedingly 
popular.  Mr.  Duke  had  previously  been  an 
instructor  in  the  Academy.  To  a  thorough  devotion 
to'  scholarly  ideals  he  added  exceptional  gifts  as  a  teacher 
and  a  genius  for  mathematical  study.  Mr.  David  G.  Ray, 
M.  A.,  who  had  long  been  known  to  the  friends  of  the 
College  as  a  conscientious  and  most  successful  teacher, 
returned  to  the  chair  of  Greek.  It  is  impossible  to  esti- 
mate the  worth  of  such  splendid  service  as  Professor  Ray 
has  rendered  to  the  College.  Quietly  and  with  persistent 
faithfulness  he  has  performed  a  truly  great  work  through- 
out the  years. 

Thus  strengthened  in  its  faculty,  the  old  College  began 
the  seventy-first  year  of  its  history.  Two  new  features 
added  a  decided  inspiration  to  the  life  of  the  College.  The 
first  of  these  was  the  establishment  of  a  course  of  chapel 
addresses,  one  of  which  was  given  each  Friday  at  the 
close  of  the  morning  class  work.  The  other  was  the 
enkindling  of  a  spirit  of  enthusiasm  for  athletic  sports. 
The  great  university  in  the  great  city  and  quite  as  truly 
the  great  university  in  the  smaller  town  have  the  vigor 
of  life  and  the  diversity  of  interests  which  are  a  very 
necessary  element  in  the  education  of  a  bright  youth  in 
our  aggressive  times.  As  a  consequence  their  graduates 
are  entering  upon  careers  of  public  service  in  ever  increas- 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  293 

ing  numbers.  The  small  college  in  the  rural  neighbor- 
hood enjoys  no  such  advantage.  Those  who  have  worked 
within  its  walls  know  only  too  well  the  lack  which  usually 
prevails  in  this  regard.  Its  influence  is  too  apt  to  be 
distinctly  narrowing  and  its  character  provincial.  Its 
students  imperatively  need  the  force  of  the  broader  and 
more  robust  life,  creating  the  intenser  ambition  and  pre- 
paring not  simply  for  the  professor's  chair  and  the  pas- 
tor's study,  but  as  well  for  the  more  rigorous  tasks  of 
public  life.  For  one  lawyer  or  legislator  Shurtleff  has 
sent  out  five  preachers  and  teachers.  Though  the  nar- 
rowing influence  of  the  small  college  in  the  retired  locality 
can  never  be  wholly  overcome,  the  two  features  which 
have  already  been  indicated  were  introduced  and  strongly 
encouraged  in  order  that  in  part  this  tendency  might  be 
remedied. 

In  the  chapel  lecture  course  the  best  available  speakers 
were  secured,  the  most  of  them  being  men  of  eminent 
attainments  in  their  respective  vocations.  The  very  pres- 
ence of  those  who  have  made  a  success  of  life  and  been 
leaders  of  men  or  of  movements  quickens  desire  in  the 
hearts  of  the  young.  In  this  case  the  weight  of  their 
helpful  counsels  was  added.  The  spell  of  their  words 
caused  many  a  heart  to  thrill  with  the  vision  of  a  grander 
life  and  urged  many  a  sleepy  soul  to  begin  the  fulfillment 
of  a  higher  destiny.  Coming  as  they  did  at  the  close  of- 
the  week  of  study,  when  the  minds  of  the  students  were 
somewhat  weary,  the  confident  and  inspiring  tones  in 
which  these  addresses  were  commonly  given  were  a  fresh 
spur  to  flagging  purpose.1 

1  As  a  result  of  the  introduction  of  these  chapel  lectures,  together  with  the 
more  extended  programme  of  speakers  at  commencement  time  in  these  latest  years, 
the  students  have  had  the  privilege  of  listening  to  such  men  as  Rabbi  Leon  Harri- 
son; Dr.  Albion  W.  Small,  President  C.  A.  Blanchard;  Frank  H.  Handy,  Esq., 
architect,  of  Chicago;  Jenkin  Lloyd  Jones,  secretary  of  the  World's  Parliament  of 
Religion  Hon.  Lee  Meriweather;  Lieutenant-Governor  Northcote;  Dr.  Galusha 


294  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

The  athletic  interests  were  fostered  by  various  agen- 
cies. A  new  rule  of  the  trustees  required  all  students 
to  take  regular  physical  exercise  in  the  gymnasium,  under 
the  direction  of  the  competent  instructors  whom  the 
Board  had  provided.  Through  a  very  special  effort  the 
services  of  Mr.  John  R.  Richards  had  been  secured  as 
director  of  the  boys'  gymnasium.  In  addition  to  this 
indoor  work  he  acted  as  coach  for  the  football  team.  He 
had  himself  been  the  captain  of  the  University  of  Wiscon- 
sin football  eleven  for  three  years  and  president  of  the 
University  Athletic  Association  for  one  year.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  all-America  football  eleven  at  the  time 
of  his  appointment  at  Shurtleff  and  was  well  known  as  a 
track  athlete.  Under  his  spirited  leadership  the  College 
football  team  became  invincible  among  the  smaller  col- 
leges, and,  though  contending  often  against  representa- 
tive teams  from  the  larger  universities,  it  met  defeat  only 
on  one  occasion  in  the  course  of  two  seasons  of  play. 
Mr.  Richards  remained  for  one  year,  and  his  place  was 
then  taken  by  Mr.  David  H.  Jackson,  who  had  been  a 
member  of  the  Cornell  University  football  team  and  was 
famous  as  an  athlete.  Physical  culture  classes 
were  also  provided  for  the  young  ladies,  under 
the  direction  of  Miss  Annette  Griggs,  who  had  fitted 
herself  for  this  work  by  thorough  courses  of  study. 

Anderson;  Superintendent  E.  Benjamin  Andrews;  Rev.  Wayland  Hoyt,  D.  D. , 
of  Philadelphia;  Hon.  S.  H.  Inglis,  State  Superintendent  of  Education;  Dr. 
Franklin  Johnson,  of  the  University  of  Chicago;  Rev.  P.  S.  Henson;  Professor 
John  R.  Sampey,  of  Louisville,  Ky. ;  Dean  W.  L.  Curtis,  of  the  Law  Depart- 
ment of  Washington  University;  Dean  R.  B.  Kinky,  of  the  University  of  • 
Illinois;  Dean  Eri  B.  Hulbert,  of  the  Divinity  School  of  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago; Mr.  W.  L.  Sheldon,  lecturer  of  the  Ethical  Society,  St.  Louis;  Rt.  Rev. 
George  F.  Seymour,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  the  Springfield  Diocese  of  the  Prot.  Epis. 
Church;  M.  T.  Chestnut,  of  the  Chestnut  and  Stephens  Mining  Exchange, 
Denver;  President  John  W.  Cook,  LL.  D.;  Rev.  F.  A.  Hosmer,  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  Unity,  St.  Louis;  Prof.  W.  O.  Krohn,  Ph.  D.;  Senator  T.  A. 
Chapman;  Hon.  Francis  W.  Parker;  Dr.  John  A.  Hamilton,  Surgeon-General 
of  the  United  States  Marine  Hospital  Service;  Dr.  William  M.  Lawrence;  Presi- 
dent A.  Gaylord  Slocum;  President  William  R.  Harper,  and  many  others. 


HON.    FRANCIS   W.   PARKER. 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  295 

The  two  years  of  enthusiasm  over  athletics  were  also 
years  of  marked  achievement  in  the  classroom.  The 
character  of  the  work  performed  was  in  every  way  supe- 
rior. '  The  faculty  directed  that  no  student  whose  class 
standing  was  low  should  be  allowed  to  enter  any  field 
contest,  either  in  football  or  track  athletics.  But  this  rule 
was  useful  only  as  a  safeguard  against  a  possible  shirking 
of  tasks.  In  point  of  fact  it  was  quite  unnecessary.  The 
football  player  does  not  usually  make  a  lazy  or  indifferent 
student.  There  is  too  much  virility  in  his  nature  and 
training.  At  Shurtleff  the  men  who  were  most  deeply 
interested  in  athletics  wrere,  almost  without  exception, 
men  who  stood  well  in  their  studies. 

Among  minor  matters  in  connection  with  the  school 
life  during  these  latest  years  the  formation  of  the  Chicago 
branch  of  the  Shurtleff  Alumni  Association  has  been  by 
no  means  the  least  important.  Largely  through  the 
efforts  of  Mr.  Francis  W.  Parker  the  whereabouts  of 
upward  of  eighty  graduates  and  former  students  of  the 
College  were  ascertained,  and  those  of  this  number  who 
were  willing-hearted  were  formed  into  a  regular  organi- 
zation. Two  annual  banquets  have  been  held  in  Chicago, 
each  of  which  has  drawn  into  deeper  fellowship  the 
alumni  who  previously  wrere  scattered  abroad  and  in 
many  cases  were  wholly  unknown  to  one  another.  Also 
with  the  idea  of  bringing  the  College  and  its  alumni  into 
closer  sympathy,  the  president  instituted  a  campaign  of 
correspondence,  so  establishing  a  relation  between  the 
College  and  its  sons  and  daughters  in  all  parts  of  the 
land.  In  connection  with  this  plan  he  secured  data 
regarding  the  life  history  and  work  of  almost  every  grad- 
uate. Brief  summaries  of  these  were  given  in  a  publica- 
tion of  some  fifty  pages,  which  was  bound  with  the 
annual  catalogue  and  issued  at  the  same  time. 


296  THE   PIONEER  SCHOOL. 

In  the  winter  of  1897-8  a  financial  problem  of  great 
importance  confronted  the  College  Board.  Some  seven 
years  before — as  has  already  been  indicated — the  Amer- 
ican Baptist  Education  Society  had  very  generously  of- 
fered to  donate  ten  thousand  dollars  to  the  College  on  con- 
dition that  forty  thousand  dollars  more  should  be  raised  in 
the  field  within  a  stipulated  time.  President  Ken- 
drick,  with  the  help  of  Dr.  Bulkley  and  others,  had  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  the  necessary  amount  in  notes  and 
pledges  within  the  time  covered  by  the  conditions.  The 
subscriptions  were  to  be  paid  in  five  equal  annual  install- 
ments, and  the  society  agreed  to  pay  their  proportion 
in  a  similar  way.  The  three  first  installments  were 
secured — many  persons  paying  the  whole  amount  of  their 
pledges  at  the  time  of  the  first  call — and  these,  with  the 
proportional  amounts  received  from  the  society,  aggre- 
gated thirty  thousand  dollars.  The  last  of  these  install- 
ments was  secured  just  before  the  new  administration 
began.  In  the  year  beginning  with  September,  1895, 
Rev.  William  Rhoads,  one  of  the  staunchest  friends 
of  the  College,  succeeded  in  collecting  about  two  thousand 
dollars  more  under  adverse  conditions.  Being  a  man  uni- 
versally respected  and  beloved,  he  aroused  a  fine  enthusi- 
asm in  behalf  of  the  school  and  its  work  wherever  he  went. 

The  five  year  limit  expired  in  June,  1896,  but  through 
the  courtesy  of  the  society  the  time  was  extended  for  two 
years — that  is,  till  the  tenth  of  June,  1898.  Again  and 
again  the  president  had  called  attention  to  the  urgency  of 
the  matter  and  the  necessity  for  a  vigorous  canvass  for 
funds  to  make  up  the  alarming  shrinkage  which  appeared. 
In  June,  1896,  the  Board  appointed  Rev.  L.  A.  Abbott, 
D.  D.,  who  had  been  for  many  years  the  honored  pastor 
of  the  Alton  Baptist  Church,  as  College  comptroller,  giv- 
ing into  his  hands  the  collection  and  payment  of  bills,  the 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST  YEARS.       297 

oversight  of  the  buildings  and  grounds,  and  other  local 
matters,  and  directing  that  he  should  devote  at  least  one- 
half  of  his  time  to  an  active  canvass  for  funds  in  different 
parts  of  the  state.  On  account  of  advancing  years  and 
the  presence  of  many  duties  in  connection  with  the  man- 
agement of  financial  and  other  affairs  at  the  College,  he 
found  it  impossible,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  weeks,  to 
comply  with  this  latter  demand,  so  no  attempt  was  made 
to  collect  the  balance  of  the  endowment  until  January, 
1898.  Then  the  president  of  the  College  was  urged  to 
take  the  field  and  collect  the  unpaid  subscriptions  or  to 
solicit -a  sufficient  number  of  additional  cash  contribu- 
tions to  make  up  the  deficiency.  After  a  few  weeks  of 
work  he  succeeded  in  securing  the  amount  necessary  to 
complete  the  fourth  installment.  On  receiving  due  notice 
the  Education  Society  forwarded  the  two  thousand  dollars 
which  constituted  its  quota. 

The  greatest  effort  remained  still  to  be  made.  The  bal- 
ance of  the  old  subscriptions  were  practically  worthless. 
June  was  drawing  very  near  and  ten  thousand  dollars 
had  yet  to  be  obtained.  For  five  years  the  stress  of  "hard 
times"  had  held  the  country  in  its  grip.  The  outlook  was 
very  dubious.  Early  in  April  the  president  dropped  all  his 
work  at  the  College  and  entered  upon  an  aggressive  can- 
vass. He  visited  most  of  the  principal  towns  of  the  state, 
and  made  use  of  the  acquaintanceship  with  the  old  stu- 
dents of  the  school  which,  fortunately  enough,  he  had 
already  obtained  through  his  plan  of  correspondence.  As 
a  result  of  the.  canvass  the  amount  required  was  secured 
when  the  eventful  tenth  of  June  arrived.  During  the  last 
six  weeks  of  the  canvass,  by  rapid  railway  journeys  and 
by  the  utilization  of  both  day  and  night — sleep  being 
caught  between  whiles  by  snatches — an  average  amount 
of  more  than  two  hundred  dollars  a  day  was  obtained. 


298  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

By  the  success  of  this  undertaking,  after  many  of  the 
friends  of  the  College  had  given  up  all  hope,  the  honor 
of  the  institution  was  saved  and  disgrace  averted.1 

The  closing  year  of  the  last  administration — the  aca- 
demic year  1898-99 — is  perhaps  deserving  of  some  partic- 
ular attention.  The  success  of  every  department  of  col- 
lege work  and  life  was  a  cause  for  deep  gratitude.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  the  spirit  of  energetic  progress  which  was 
rife  in  the  school  expressed  itself  through  a  new  channel. 
The  Alpha  Zeta  Society  had  been  for  some  months  prepar- 
ing and  now  published  a  complete  history  of  its  fifty  years 
of  active  life  as  an  organization.  The  book  was  a  hand- 
some volume  of  nearly  four  hundred  pages,  pro- 
fusely illustrated  with  portraits  of  professors  and  pupils 
of  the  earlier  and  later  years.  The  work  of  compilation 
and  authorship  was  done  by  Mr.  William  W.  Greene,  a 
member  of  the  junior  class  in  College  and  a  grandson 
of  Prof.  Warren  Leverett.  Written  in  the  sparkling  and 
attractive  style  of  college  journalism,  this  history  was 
read  with  deep  interest  by  many  an  old  student,  whose 
mind  was  carried  back  by  the  perusal  to  the  memory  of 
long-forgotten  pranks  and  episodes  of  college  life. 

lThe  following  exhibit  indicates  the  aggregate  amounts  of  trust  and  endowment 
funds  at  the  commencement  of  the  last  administration  in  1894  and  in  the  five  suc- 
ceeding years.  It  is  taken  from  the  last  annual  report  of  Mr.  A.  L.  Abbott,  the 
Treasurer  of  the  trust  and  endowment  funds: 

1894  -  -     $  99,832.47 

1895  109,928.60 

1896  -----    112,527.15 

1897  117,852.36 

1898  -          -          -          -          -        119,352.04 

1899  129,145.44 

It  will  be  seen  from  this  official  statement  that  nearly  §17,000.00  has  been  added 
to  the  productive  endowment  of  the  College  within  the  past  three  years  and  nearly 
$30,000.00  within  five  years. 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  299 

The  new  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Rev. 
Myron  W.  Haynes,  D.  D.,  of  Chicago,  entered  at  once 
as  a  personal  force  of  great  power  into  the  problems 
and  plans  of  the  governing  body.  The  faculty  was 
strengthened  by  the  coming  of  Mr.  James  P.  Whyte, 
B.  A.,  to  the  chair  of  English  literature  and  oratory. 
Professor  Whyte  soon  proved  himself  a  master  of  his 
work.  His  courses  were  stimulating,  and  to  him  belongs 
the  honor  of  having  introduced  the  study  of  the  Bible  as 
literature  into  the  College.  Bible  study  in  one  form  or 
another  had  been  a  part  of  the  curriculum,  or  an  optional 
extra-curriculum  class,  during  all  the  years  of  Shurtleff's 
history.  But  the  method  of  teaching  had  been  either 
predominantly  theological  or  predominantly  devotional. 
The  new  method  was  a  success ;  it  opened  fresh  treasures 
of  riches  to  the  students. 

The  "College  Review,"  under  the  editorial  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  Leonard  C.  Trent,  became  a  journal 
of  great  merit.  The  promptness  with  which  it  was 
issued  each  month — a  rare  virtue  in  college  journal- 
ism— is  hardly  less  to  be  commended  than  the  fine  liter- 
ary character  which  it  displayed  from  the  first  number  to 
the  last  throughout  the  year.  The  work  of  the  Christian 
associations  also  broadened  considerably,  and  the  various 
classes  in  Bible  study,  together  with  the  course  of  ad- 
dresses on  religious  themes,  were  carried  forward  with 
enthusiasm.  The  series  of  receptions  for  the  members 
of  each  of  the  four  College  classes,  instituted  by  the  presi- 
dent and  his  wife,  was  a  new  feature  in  the  realm  of  the 
social  activities.  The  'victories  of  the  students  in  athletic 
contests  and  in  intercollegiate  debate  inspired  a  splendid 
loyalty  and  cemented  the  student  body  in  a  unity  of  pur- 
pose and  desire  for  the  welfare  of  "old  Shurtleff." 

But      far     beyond     these     extra-scholastic     achieve- 


300  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

ments  the  year  1898-99  will  be  memorable  for 
the  thoroughness  of  the  teachers'  class  work  and  the 
surprising  strength  of  the  College  department.  In  the 
three  previous  years  the  enrollment  in  the  four  under- 
graduate classes  had  risen  from  thirty-four  to  fifty-four, 
thence  to  seventy,  and  from  that  to  seventy-seven.  It 
was  thought  by  many  that  a  pause  must  come  in  this 
rapid  growth  of  the  higher  classes.  But  to  the  intense 
delight  of  all  who  loved  the  school  and  were  eager  for  its 
prosperity,  the  number  again  advanced.  Ninety  students 
were  enrolled  in  the  College  classes,  making  a  gain  of  more 
than  two  hundred  per  cent  over  the  attendance  at  any  one 
time  in  the  first  year  of  the  latest  administration.  The 
freshman  class  had  thirty-three  members  and  the  sopho- 
more class  twenty-two,  these  being  the  largest  numbers 
ever  enrolled  in  these  respective  classes.  This  quite 
remarkable  growth,  exceeding  anything  that  the  College 
had  known  before,  was  made  during  four  years  of  finan- 
cial depression,  as  severe  and  trying,  perhaps,  as  any 
that  our  country  has  ever  experienced,  and  while  most 
of  the  other  smaller  colleges  were  barely  holding  their 
own  and  many  were  steadily  losing  ground. 

For  more  than  half  a  century  the  face  and  form  of 
Justus  Bulkley  were  familiar  to  the  friends  and  patrons 
of  the  College.  Ever  ready  with  his  loyal  help  when 
Shurtleff  was  disheartened,  ever  vigorous  and  noble  in 
his  advocacy  of  her  cause,  his  hand  and  heart,  his  life 
and  strength  were  through  and  through  enlisted  in  her 
service.  Rounding  the  eightieth  milestone  of  his  honor- 
able pilgrimage,  yet  hale  and  hearty  as  a  man  of  half 
his  years,  he  entered  on  the  labors  of  the  winter  term 
of  '98  and  '99  in  perfect  health.  Teaching  four  classes 
each  school  day,  and  planning  still  for  the  enlargement 
and  development  of  his  department,  nearly  a  month  ran 


PROFESSOR    JUSTUS     BULKLEY. 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  301 

by.  Then  suddenly  the  summons  came,  and  Shurtleff's 
friends  throughout  the  Union,  and  her  children  every- 
where throughout  the  world,  bowed  their  heads  sadly. 
The  "grand  old  man"  had  in  the  midst  of  loving  toils 
received  a  message  which  he  could  not  disregard.  So, 
laying  down  his  duties,  he  followed  the  messenger  into 
the  unseen  world.  Thus  glory  and  the  larger  life  came 
to  him. 

Dr.  Bulkley  was  the  sole  survivor  in  the  faculty  of  the 
honored  band  of  men  who  were  lovingly  termed  the  "old 
professors."  He  had  not  of  course  known  the  College  in 
the  earliest  period  of  its  history.  Yet  he  had  been  more 
or  less  actively  associated  with  all  of  the  makers  of 
Shurtleff,  with  John  M.  Peck  and  Father  Loomis,  with 
Dr.  Marsh  and  Ebenezer  Rodgers,  with  Washington  and 
Warren  Leverett,  with  Cyrus  Edwards  and  Adiel  Sher- 
wood. He  was  a  confrere  of  Read  and  Adkins,  of  Marsh 
and  Howes,  of  Pattison  and  Mitchell,  of  Dodge  and 
Castle  and  Fairman. 

The  career  of  this  man  was  bound  up  with  the  history 
of  a  rural  western  college.  His  entire  working  life,  as 
student  and  pastor  and  teacher,  was  spent  within  one 
day's  walking  distance  of  Upper  Alton.  Nevertheless 
the  force  of  his  personality  struck  deep  and  far.  At  his 
"jubilee"  he  bore  himself  with  the  dignity  of  a  true 
gentleman,  while  his  admirers  and  fellow  workers  sought 
to  give  him  due  honor  by  their  words  of  gratitude  and 
praise.  Though  disdaining  fulsome  eulogy,  he  was  deeply 
moved  by  the  affectionate  remembrances  of  former  stu- 
dents, confessing  that  "out  of  more  than  fifty  commence- 
ments which  he  had  attended  the  last  had  been  the  best 
and  brightest  of  all."  He  only  lived  to  see  one  more. 

He  was  a  man  whom  it  was  indeed  a  delight  to  honpr. 
He  was  modest  to  the  last  degree.  Of  his  deep  humility 


302  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

and  sweet  sincerity  a  thousand  tongues  can  speak.  He 
was  the  little  children's  tried  and  trusted  friend.  Though 
exceedingly  strong  in  his  convictions,  he  was  never  un- 
pleasantly insistent,  never  arbitrary  or  contentious.  He 
was  an  open-minded  truth-seeker,  holding  the  positions 
he  reached,  but  never  resting  in  his  progress  toward 
larger  revelations.  His  mind  seemed  always  alert,  virile, 
intense.  He  gave  himself  to  great  thoughts,  to  great 
themes,  in  a  spirit  of  irrepressible  and  eager  activity. 
Though  revering  his  years  and  the  wisdom  they  had 
brought,  one  never  looked  in  vain  for  the  hopeful  mes- 
sage, the  courage  of  youth,  the  thrill  of  a  quenchless 
ardor. 

Shurtleff  was  impoverished  when  Justus  Bulkley  died. 
Such  men  have  made  the  smaller  college  illustrious 
throughout  the  past  history  of  our  country.  Such  men 
were  its  very  raison  d'etre.  Today  the  great  univer- 
sity, with  its  prodigious  equipments,  its  extensive 
laboratories,  its  faculties  of  cultured  specialists,  its 
host  of  students,  has  become  the  representative  of  the 
educational  life  of  the  age.  Even  its  religious  activities 
are  becoming  noteworthy,  for  the  splendid  work  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  similar  organiza- 
tions provide  for  its  students  a  deep  and  thorough  Chris- 
tian culture.  Beyond  this,  its  annual  income  exceeds 
three  or  four  fold  the  entire  endowment  of  the  denom- 
inational college.  It  is  regarded  as  the  crown  and  com- 
pletion of  the  public  school  system.  By  a  hundred  ties 
it  has  linked  its  interests  with  those  of  the  high  schools 
in  almost  every  one  of  our  western  stales.  Under  these 
conditions-  the  chief  hope  for  the  rural  college,  with 
its  long  history  of  faithful  and  self-denying  service,  lies 
in  the  intensification  of  the  spirit  of  denominational  loy- 
alty. But  denominationalism  is  becoming  less  and  less  a 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST  YEARS.       3°  3 

factor  in  our  life;  fraternity  and  fellowship  among  re- 
ligious bodies  are  becoming  more  and  more  a  sign  of 
the  times  and  a  promise  of  the  future.  It  is  therefore 
doubtful  whether  any  illustrious  work  will  be  achieved  by 
the  smaller  colleges  in  the  coming  years.  They  can  cer- 
tainly occupy  no  such  place  as  in  the  past  it  has  been 
their  privilege  and  mission  to  fill.  They  will  do  a  quiet 
work  in  a  quiet  way.  Having  no  great  resources  or 
great  revenues,  and  little  possibility  of  obtaining  these, 
they  can  reach  but  a  very  limited  number  of  the  throngs 
of  students  who  are  pressing  forward  into  academic  life. 
By  a  policy  of  affiliation  they  may  become  helpers  and 
feeders  to  the  universities.  But  their  influence  on  the 
scholarship  and  progress  of  the  age  can  only  be  meagre 
at  the  best. 

Under  these  circumstances  it  is  well  to  record  and 
remember  the  lives  of  the  men  who  have  given 
so  grand  a  gift  to  the  students  of  the  earlier  generations. 
They  gave  themselves,  their  every  talent,  their  abounding 
zeal.  And  they  were  cast  in  a  heroic  mould.  They  were 
builders  of  character,  makers  of  men.  They  had  religious 
fervor.  They  had  spiritual  insight.  They  labored  for 
the  intellectual  development  of  their  students,  but  they 
paused  not  there ;  they  yearned  for  the  salvation  of  their 
souls.  Who  that  heard  him  can  forget  the  impassioned 
appeals  of  Dr.  Bulkley,  Shurtleff's  "grand  old  man,"  in 
the  series  of  meetings  which  he  addressed  a  few  months 
before  he  died?  Every  word  rang  with  intense  desire. 
Every  syllable  came,  quick  with  life,  from  a  warm  and 
loving  heart. 

The  story  of  the  Pioneer  School  is  the  story  of  many 
a  Christian  college.  •  Its  value  and  its  glory  appear  in  its 
deification  of  character.  Its  teachers  have  known  their 
students  intimately,  entering  deeply  into  their  life  plans ; 


304  THE   PIONEER   SCHOOL. 

these  teachers  have  been  men  of  genuine  consecration, 
approving  themselves  constantly  as  worthy  guides;  all 
intellectual  activities  have  been  permeated  and  inter- 
penetrated by  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  by  the  message  from 
the  cross.  It  is  now  as  it  has  always  been.  The  very  at- 
mosphere about  the  College  seems  surcharged  with  spirit- 
uality. Religion  is  felt  to  be  more  than  a  belief ;  it  is  a  life. 
New  students  entering  the  school  soon  feel  the  pervasive 
influence  of  the  highest  ideals.  It  is  not  meant  that 
no  worldliness  is  found.  There  is  even,  at  times,  out- 
breaking sin.  But  there  is,  with  it  all,  and  constantly 
present,  the  consciousness  that  for  no  kind  of  unworthy 
or  evil  indulgence  has  the  College  any  room  or  place 
or  sympathy.  The  spiritual  influences  bear  down  upon 
the  students  with  great  weight.  In  the  case  of  those 
who  have  welcomed  the  message  of  the  Master  they 
encourage  in  the  way  of  noble  service.  To  the  reckless 
they  become  an  irritant  of  conscience,  and  to  many  a 
regenerating  force.  In  the  five  years  of  the  last  adminis- 
tration every  student,  in  each  of  the  successive  graduating 
classes,  had  professed  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ;  there 
was  not  a  single  exception.  A  short  time  before  his 
death  Dr.  Bulkley  said,  with  grave  emphasis,  that  he 
had  never  known  the  religious  life  of  the  College  to  be 
deeper  or  stronger  than  it  was  just  at  that  time.  Yet 
there  were  no  great  revival  meetings,  no  ecstasies,  no 
outbursts  of  enthusiasm. 

There  are  calls  for  "a  new  evangelism."  Perhaps  we 
need  it ;  perhaps  not.  We  certainly  need  the  pure  gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God.  The  evangel  of  Jesus  is  not  outworn. 
The  men  of  tomorrow  need  the  virile  touch  of  the 
man  of  Galilee.  The  college  student. of  today,  who  will 
plan  and  think  for  the  people  of  the  coming  years,  should 


SHURTLEFF'S  LATEST   YEARS.  3°5 

ponder  day  by  day,  and  very  deeply,  the  life  and  teachings 
of  the  Perfect  Man.  Those  who  desire  great  things  for 
our  nation;  who  dare  to  hope  that  it  may  become  a  re- 
deemed nation,  that  it  may  be  baptized  with  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  the  living  God,  are  asking  Him  that  He  will 
bind  each  school  of  learning  into  reverent  fellowship  with 
Him  in  whom  are  hid  all  treasures  of  wisdom  and 
knowledge.  And  they  forget  not  in  the  quiet  hour  to 
thank  Him  for  the  Christian  schools  whose  heritage  is, 
one  of  self-denying  labor  in  His  name. 


APPENDICES. 


APPENDIX  I. 


The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  circular  issued  by  Mr.  Peck  in 
the  summer  of  1835,  in  connection  with  his  appeal  for  funds  for 
Alton  College  in  Boston  and  throughout  New  England.  He  dis- 
tributed several  thousand  copies  of  this  circular  at  the  public 
meetings  which  he  addressed  and  through  other  agencies. 

ALTON  SEMINARY  AND  COLLEGE. 

To  the  Friends  of  Education  and  those  who  desire  the  advance- 
ment of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  West. 

As  the  agent  of  ALTON  SEMINARY  AND  COLLEGE,  the  undersigned 
addresses  you  on  the  origin,  location,  objects,  plan  and  wants  of 
this  institution. 

L— ORIGIN. 

For  many  years  past  individuals  in  the  "far  West"  have  per- 
ceived and  deeply  felt  the  necessity  of  an  institution  for  ministerial 
and  general  education  in  connection  with  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion, and  of  adopting  seasonable  measures  for  the  attainment  of 
that  object.  In  1826  an  individual  made  the  attempt,  raised  about 
$750  in  the  eastern  states,  with  books,  various  articles  of  bed 
clothing,  etc.,  and  with  further  aid  received  in  Illinois,  put  up 
some  cheap  buildings,  and  the  institution  at  Rock  Spring,  St. 
Clair  county,  Illinois,  was  opened  in  November,  1827.  It  contin- 
ued in  operation,  with  ordinary  vacations,  till  May,  1831,  when  it 
was  closed  from  the  ill  health  of  the  person  then  in  charge  of  it. 

This  incipient  effort,  carried  forward  without  adequate  funds, 
without  permanent  provision  for  competent  instruction,  furnished 
proof  that  a  well  regulated  literary  institution,  properly  conducted, 
would  prove  of  immense  service  in  this  country  to  the  cause  of 
religion,  and  have  a  direct  influence  upon  other  measures  designed 
to  promote  the  well  being  of  society. 

309 


3*0  APPENDICES. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  Rock  Spring  Seminary,  242 
youths,  male  and  female,  attended  as  students  for  various  periods 
of  time. 

Of  these  thirty-three  professed  to  be  converted  while  at  the 
seminary — and  twenty  more  after  they  had  left  it,  many  of  whom 
dated  their  first  serious  impressions  at  that  institution.  Including 
such  students  as  have  since  commenced  the  gospel  ministry,  with 
those  who  were  licened  preachers  when  they  entered  the  seminary, 
and  the  number  is  eleven.  Of  this  class  one  is  deceased,  one  has 
been  silenced  and  excluded  from  the  church,  but  is  now  restored, 
two  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  the  remainder 
to  the  Baptists. 

One  of  these  is  occupying  a  most  important  missionary  field  in 
Louisiana,  under  the  patronage  of  the  American  Baptist  Home 
Mission  Society.  Many  others  of  the  former  students  of  Rock 
Spring  Seminary  have  been  and  continue  to  be  useful  teachers  or 
superintendents  in  Sabbath  Schools. 

Out  of  the  whole  number  sixteen  are  known  to  be  dead,  of 
which  ten  gave  hopeful  evidences  of  piety. 

In  1830,  from  various  circumstances  combined,  the  public  mind 
in  Illinois  was  directed  to  the  town  of  Alton  as  a  commercial 
depot  for  an  extensive  portion  of  the  state.  Two  town  sites  had 
been  previously  located,  one  on  the  river  called  Lower  Alton,  the 
other  on  elevated  ground  two  miles  and  a  half  in  the  rear. 

Upon  the  visit  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Going  to  this  country  in  1831,  a 
proposition  was  made  by  a  number  of  friends  to  remove  the  loca- 
tion of  the  Seminary  from  Rock  Spring  to  Alton. 

After  due  consideration  the  proposition  was  accepted,  and  the 
books,  bed  clothing  and  other  movable  property  were  transferred 
under  the  name  of  a  loan,  till  such  time  as  the  affairs  of  the  old 
institution  could  be  adjusted,  the  buildings  sold  and  the  avails 
transferred  to  Alton. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  Alton,  June  4,  1832,  seven  gentlemen 
formed  a  compact,  and  entered  into  a  written  obligation  to  ad- 
vance each  $100  (which  they  subsequently  increased  to  $125),  and 
to  become  jointly  obligated  for  a  loan  of  $800  more.  With  a  part 
of  this  sum  they  purchased  a  valuable  tract  of  land  adjoining 
Alton  of  122  acres  for  $400,  and  entered  in  the  land  office  at  gov- 
ernment price  ($1.25  per  acre)  240  acres  more  in  the  rear  of  their 
first  purchase. 


APPENDICES.  311 

Some  subscriptions  were  then  obtained  from  the  citizens,  and 
a  two-story  brick  building,  40  feet  by  32,  with  a  stone  basement 
story,  was  erected  and  nearly  finished.  The  cost  of  this  building 
has  been  $1,625.  They  have  sustained  within  it  a  respectable 
school  for  the  common  and  higher  branches  of  education,  having 
had  from  twenty-five  to  sixty  scholars,  from  December,  1833,  to 
the  present  time. 

Of  the  present  number,  which  exceed  fifty,  seven  are  young  men 
of  promising  talents,  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  three  of 
whom  are  licensed  preachers,  and  others  are  contemplating  this 
work. 

II.— LOCATION. 

A  single  glance  upon  a  map  of  the  country  bordering  on  the 
Mississippi  will  show  to  a  stranger  the  importance  of  this  position 
as  the  site  for  the  contemplated  institution  for  the  purposes  de- 
signed. To  those  who  are  acquainted  with  important  positions  in 
the  West,  forming  centers  of  business,  and  radiating  points  of 
influence,  nothing  need  be  said  to  prove  the  superiority  of  this 
place  as  the  site  of  such  an  institution. 

It  will  gather  students  along  the  "Far-off  Waters,"  from  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  its  influence  may 
be  sent  back  and  extended  over  this  whole  region. 

This  opinion  is  deliberately  and  unanimously  sustained  by  the 
"General  Convention  of  Western  Baptists,"  held  at  Cincinnati  in 
November,  1834,  in  the  following 

RESOLUTION. 

RESOLVED,  That  from  its  position  in  an  important  section  of  the 
Great  Valley,  its  proximity  to  the  stronghold  of  Roman  Catholic 
influence  and  their  large  institutions,  and  the  bearing  it  may  have 
upon  the  whole  country  bordering  upon  the  Mississippi,  this  con- 
vention regards  with  deep  interest  the  Baptist  institution  at  Alton, 
Illinois,  and  rejoice  in  the  disposition  of  our  brethren  there  to 
make  it  a  respectable  seminary,  bearing  prominently  on  education 
for  the  ministry,  and  cordially  recommend  it  to  the  confidence  and 
support  of  the  denomination  in  both  the  eastern  and  western 
states. 

The  "section  of  the  Great  Valley"  denominated  "important"  in 
the  foregoing  resolution  includes  the  whole  line  of  states  and  ter- 
ritories immediately  bordering  on  the  Mississippi  river,  which 


312  APPENDICES. 

contain  500,000  square  miles,  and  a  population  at  this  time  of 
J,375>ooo.  Allow  only  the  same  proportions  to  increase  for  the 
next  fifteen  years,  as  has  been  for  the  last  twenty-five  years,  and 
the  population  of  this  district  will  be  4,000,000,  of  which  Illinois 
will  include  1,000,000. 

The  number  of  communicants  in  Baptist  churches  in  this  por- 
tion of  the  valley  is  now  about  24,000.  Let  them  increase  with  the 
ratio  of  increase  of  population  the  next  brief  period  of  fifteen 
years,  and  in  1850  they  will  number  70,000. 

EVANGELICAL  EDUCATION. 

In  this  district  of  country,  the  means  of  education  directed  by 
evangelical  influence,  above  that  of  Sunday-school  instruction,  are 
extremely  limited  and  disproportionate.  The  Illinois  College,  at 
Jacksonville,  under  the  patronage  of  Presbyterians  and  Congrega- 
tionalists,  will  doubtless  exert  an  evangelical  influence  proportion- 
ate to  its  ample  resources. 

The  Methodist  denomination  has  provided  a  building  and  estab- 
lished a  Seminary,  which  they  intend  to  rear  into  a  College,  at 
Lebanon,  St.  Clair  county. 

A  college  charter  has  been  granted,  and  a  school  commenced 
among  a  body  of  Seceders  and  Covenanters  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  state. 

A  company  of  Presbyterians  in  Marion  county,  Missouri,  have 
commenced  the  establishment  of  a  college  and  a  theological  school 
on  the  manual  labor  plan,  140  miles  northwest  from  St.  Louis.  A 
building  has  been  erected,  and  the  preparatory  department  of  a 
college  has  been  opened  at  Columbia,  Boone  county,  Mo.,  but  not 
connected  with  any  religious  denomination. 

In  the  lower  part  of  Kentucky,  but  not  within  the  district  we 
are  now  surveying,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  have  a  colle- 
giate institution,  with  60  or  70  students,  which  will  exert  a  salu- 
tary influence. 

Recently  an  effort  has  been  made  to  establish  a  college  on  evan- 
gelical principles  in  Mississippi. 

A  few  select  schools,  sustained  by  individual  enterprise  and 
effort  merely,  and  a  few  academies,  without  funds,  or  provision 
for  permanency,  are  scattered  through  this  region,  like  glimmer- 
ing tapers  amidst  the  forest  gloom  of  night. 

It  is  true  that  the  general  government,  in  preparing  for  the  sales 
of  its  lands,  has  made  provision,  to  a  limited  extent,  for  purposes 


APPENDICES.  313 

of  education.  But  a  large  proportion  consists  in  wild  lands,  en- 
tirely unavailable  for  the  present  generation.  The  remainder  be- 
longs to  the  townships  in  which  it  is  located  for  common  school 
purposes,  or  is  under  the  control  of  the  state  legislature,  to  be 
applied  to  purposes  purely  literary,  and  cannot,  as  it  ought  not, 
be  brought  to  bear  directly  upon  the  sustenation  and  diffusion  of 
evangelical  principles,  and  training  the  rising  generation  to  the 
fear  and  love  of  God.  And  should  any  .unforeseen  circumstance 
ever  throw  these  funds  into  the  hands  of  those  who  would  give 
them  a  different  direction,  they  are  far  more  liable  to  be  applied 
to  sustain  and  diffuse  the  principles  of  infidelity,  or  the  dogmas 
and  delusions  of  a  corrupt  and  debasing  system  of  religion. 

All  that  the  friends  of  evangelical  education  will  do  in  relation 
to  public  funds  is  to  guard  them  with  untiring  vigilance,  that  they 
may  not  become  an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  the  designing  and 
crafty,  and  have  them  applied  to  purposes  of  primary  education. 

MEASURES   IN  TRAIN  TO  PREVENT  LIBERAL  EDUCATION. 

But  should  evangelical  Christians  neglect  to  provide  promptly 
and  liberally  the  means  of  evangelical  education,  let  none  suppose 
the  youth  of  this  valley  will  be  neglected.  Though  thousands, 
doubtless,  in  that  case  will  remain  destitute  of  the  elements  of 
education  in  the  primary  school,  enough  will  receive  a  species 
of  education  sufficient  to  fit  them  for  the  purposes  of  designing 
men.  Broad  and  deep  are  the  foundations  now  laying  in  this  sec- 
tion of  the  great  valley.  An  influence  efficient  and  controlling 
will  soon  be  exerted  over  the  millions  that  will  swell  the  tide  of 
population  along  this  river,  unless  counteracting  measures,  on  a 
liberal  and  enlarged  scale,  are  speedily  commenced. 

Let  Christians  slumber  on  the  subject  of  colleges,  seminaries 
and  theological  institutions,  and  soon — very  soon — ample  means 
will  be  in  operation  to  effect  certain  purposes. 

We  do  not  regard  mere  infidelity  as  fruitful  in  its  plans  and  re- 
sources to  build  up  literary  institutions,  especially  when  exhibited 
in  the  brutal  and  heartless  form  of  undisguised  atheism.  The 
world  has  yet  to  see  a  specimen  of  liberal,  philanthropic  and  per- 
severing effort  to  build  up  colleges  and  schools  on  principles  of 
avowed  infidelity.  The  most  it  can  do,  as  it  has  already  done,  is  to 
wither  and  crush  such  institutions  as  come  within  its  grasp.  Its 
icy  touch  produces  not  life,  but  death. 


3*4  APPENDICES. 

But  infidelity  in  this  section  of  the  valley  is  closely  allied  to  a 
more  imposing  and  formidable  enemy.  And  should  the  fearful 
contest  for  the  preservation  of  all  we  hold  dear  ever  come  on, 
infidelity  and  popery  will  be  found  speaking  the  same  voice  and 
promoting  the  same  measures. 

Let  the  friends  of  Christ  neglect  to  rear  up  colleges  and  other 
literary  institutions,  and  we  feel  assured  the  country  will  not 
remain  destitute.  Austria,  Italy  and  other  Catholic  countries  of 
Europe,  as  they  are  now  doing,  will  continue  to  pour  upon  us 
their  treasures. 

The  indifferent,  the  careless,  the  infidel  and  the  mere  man  of  the 
world  will  meet  them  with  liberal  contributions.  Jesuits,  and 
monks  of  every  order,  and  priests  of  every  grade,  will  come  in. 
Massive  buildings  of  stone  and  brick  will  arise  as  by  magic,  where 
infidel  principles  will  be  artfully  instilled  into  the  minds  of  sons 
of  nominally  protestant  parents ;  and  nunneries  with  fashionable 
boarding  schools — in  every  form,  and  surrounded  with  every  fas- 
cination, and  under  the  special  charge  of  every  order  of  the  Holy 
Sisterhood — will  mold  the  feelings  and  morals  of  the  daughters, 
that,  when  they  become  mothers,  they  may  teach  all  the  little  ones, 
male  and  female,  of  the  next  generation  to  be  good  and  loyal  sub- 
jects of  His  Holiness  at  Rome!  !  !  !  ! 

This  is  not  wild  conjecture.  The  universities,  colleges,  sem- 
inaries, academies,  athenaeums,  nunneries,  boarding  schools  and 
select  schools  are  already  organized.  The  stone,  and  brick,  and 
mortar  already  exists  in  stately  edifices.  Every  year  brings  an 
accession  of  men,  and  women,  and  money. 

In  Missouri,  the  St.  Louis  University,  on  the  suburbs  of  that 
city — a  noble  pile  of  buildings — erected  partly  by  Protestant  sub- 
scriptions— controlled  by  Jesuits — with  150  students,  and  even  in 
this  early  stage,  applying  to  Congress  for  lands,  and  to  the  legis- 
lature of  Missouri  for  state  funds !  In  Perry  county,  twenty  miles 
south  of  St.  Genevieve,  is  St.  Mary's  University — a  seminary  for 
the  education  of  priests — a  nunnery  and  female  boarding  school, 
a  primary  school  for  the  children  in  the  settlement,  containing  in 
these  various  departments  more  than  300  teachers  and  students. 
Several  nunneries  upon  an  extensive  plan  are  in  operation  in  that 
state,  and  more  are  projected. 

A  nunnery  and  ladies  boarding  school  is  at  Kaskaskia,  in  Illi- 
nois, established  in  1832,  and  an  extensive  literary  institution  con- 
templated in  the  very  heart  of  the  state.  Cast  your  eye  now  on  the 


APPENDICES.  3J5 

map,  and  see  if  the  projected  institution  at  Alton  is  not  in  the 
"proximity  to  the  stronghold  of  Roman  Catholic  influence,  and 
their  large  institutions,"  as  affirmed  by  the  Cincinnati  Convention. 
Pass  down  the  Mississippi,  and  on  both  sides  of  this  great  river 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  you  will  find  the  same  measures  in  train. 
The  same  plans  to  control  the  interests  of  education  are  laying. 

Another  fact  not  to  be  overlooked  in  this  hasty  view  of  the  loca- 
tion of  Alton  Institution  is  the  influx  of  Austrian  and  German 
emigrants,  a  large  portion  of  whom  are  under  the  influence  of 
HIM  at  Rome.  Directly  opposite,  in  Missouri,  they  have  spread 
over  the  counties  of  St.  Charles,  Lincoln,  Warren,  and  the 
western  portion  of  St.  Louis.  Already  the  American  population 
of  St.  Clair  county,  in  Illinois,  is  obliged  to  recede.  And  accord- 
ing to  the  statements  of  those  who  have  arrived,  they  will  multi- 
ply by  hundreds  and  by  thousands.  Fifty  thousand,  it  is  said  by 
those  who  have  come,  are  preparing  to  follow  to  this  district. 

Ill— OBJECTS. 

Three  objects  in  particular  have  engaged  the  attention  of  the 
projectors  of  this  institution. 

First.  The  education  of  all  classes  in  the  English  and  other 
branches  of  education,  and  eventually  to  organize  regular  college 
classes,  where  to  such  as  can  pursue  a  full  course  the  instruction 
and  facilities  shall  be  equal  to  any  similar  institution,  but  still  to 
maintain  a  large  department  for  those  who  do  not  graduate. 

Secondly.  The  education  of  teachers  of  common  schools,  and 
by  this  means  extend  the  blessings  of  education  to  every  settle- 
ment. 

Thirdly.  To  provide  facilities  for  a  suitable  education  to  the 
ministry  of  the  gospel,  especially  in  that  course  of  studies  directly 
connected  with  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

In  aiming  to  the  accomplishment  of  these  objects,  it  is  our  fixed 
determination  to  pay  direct  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
morals  and  the  heart,  and  to  inculcate  the  principles  of  revealed 
religion.  The  Holy  Scriptures  will  ever  be  a  prominent  text  book 
in  every  department. 

IV.— PLAN  OF  THE  INSTITUTION. 

The  plan  is  to  provide  commodious  and  substantial  buildings, 
able  instructors  for  the  various  departments — books  for  a  library 


3l6  APPENDICES. 

— accommodations  for  boarding  on  reasonable  terms,  and  facilities 
for  manual  labor  for  those  students  who  may  desire  to  pay  a  part 
of  their  expenditures  by  devoting  two  or  three  hours  a  day  to 
mechanical  business  or  farming. 

At  the  late  session  of  the  legislature  a  liberal  charter  was 
granted,  under  the  title  of  "The  Trustees  of  Alton  College  of  Illi- 
nois," with  full  powers  to  organize,  whenever  needed,  departments 
for  the  liberal  professions.  The  only  department  which  the  char-  ; 
ter  does  not  cover  is  a  theological  department.  No  prohibition 
exists  to  the  full  education  of  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  any  or 
every  branch  of  study,  with  other  students.  The  education  of  the 
ministry,  however,  being  a  prominent  object  in  the  original  de- 
sign, and  knowing  it  would  be  preferable  to  have  a  department 
for  that  specific  purpose  distinct  from  the  College,  the  "Trustees 
of  Alton  Seminary,"  upon  the  entire  principles  of  the  original 
compact,  have  secured  by  deed  of  trust  fifty  acres  of  valuable  land, 
on  which  a  permanent  and  commodious  building,  for  a  seminary 
hall  and  refectory  and  rooms  for  professors  and  students,  is  about 
to  be  erected. 

The  first  object  of  the  trustees  of  Alton  College  is  to  provide 
accommodations  for  a  large  number  of  students  in  what  may  be 
called  the  Preparatory  Department  of  the  institution. 

For  such  as  may  choose  to  go  through  a  full  course,  college 
classes  will  be  organized,  whenever  circumstances  require  it.  At 
the  same  time  the  education  of  the  ministry,  especially  in  those 
branches  pertaining  more  immediately  to  the  ministerial  office, 
will  be  promoted  to  the  utmost  extent  of  our  means  by  the 
Trustees  of  Alton  Seminary,  which  is  distinct  from  the  College. 

A  broad,  deep  and  permanent  foundation  is  thus  laid  for  the 
promotion  of  the  education  of  every  class,  and  especially  that  of 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation.  Both  Boards  of  Trustees  are  per- 
petuated by  filling  vacancies  themselves  in  their  own  body. 

V.— PRESENT  WANTS. 

After  an  investigation  of  the  facts  and  principles  exhibited, 
nothing  need  be  said  to  urge  the  great  importance  of  this  institu- 
tion. It  only  remains  to  exhibit  briefly  its  PRESENT  WANTS. 

Those  who  have  paid  attention  to  the  state  of  society,  the  exist- 
ing difficulties,  and  the  want  of  means  on  the  part  of  those  who 
feel  constrained  to  build  up  institutions  for  the  promotion  of 


APPENDICES.  31/ 

evangelical  education  in  this  section  of  the  great  valley,  Already 
know  that  our  chief  dependence  is  upon  aid  from  abroad.  This 
we  must  have  or  our  enterprise  fails.  Yet  we  mean  to  "help  our- 
selves" to  our  utmost  ability.  Already  by  a  judicious  selection  of 
lands,  and  by  suffering  temporary  embarrassments,  the  founda- 
tion has  been  laid  for  a  valuable  property  that  will  be  of  material 
service  to  the  future  wants  of  the  institution.  A  plat  of  ground 
has  been  laid  out  in  town,  and  out  lots,  of  which  thirty-five  have 
been  sold  at  public  auction  for  $2,453.  Thus  less  than  twenty-five 
acres  has  produced  more  than  treble  the  cost  of  the  whole  262 
acres  in  1832.  Some  of  the  more  valuable  lots  have  been  reserved 
from  sale  till  their  value  becomes  greatly  enhanced.  It  would  be 
bad  economy  to  dispose  of  these  for  present  wants.  A  portion  of 
the  amount  to  be  realized  from  the  late  sales  must  be  applied  to 
cancel  the  debts  already  contracted.  The  remainder  will  be  ap- 
plied to  aid  in  the  erection  of  the  contemplated  buildings.  An 
agent  is  now  engaged  in  Illinois  and  vicinity,  in  procuring  sub- 
scriptions for  the  institution,  and  awakening  the  attention  of  the 
people,  and  especially  our  denomination,  to  its  great  interest.  One 
thousand  dollars  were  subscribed  by  a  few  individuals  before  the 
undersigned  left  the  state.  We  have  no  doubt  of  having  as  many 
students  as  can  be  provided  for,  soon  as  we  can  procure  suitable 
buildings  and  competent  instructors. 

TWENTY-FIVE  THOUSAND  DOLLARS. 

The  following  resolution,  adopted  by  the  trustees  of  Alton  Sem- 
inary, after  due  deliberation,  January  isth,  1835,  exhibits  a  full 
view  of  this  branch  of  the  subject: 

"Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  immediate  wants,  as  well  as  the 
permanency  and  prosperity  of  the  Alton  Seminary,  it  is  necessary 
and  highly  expedient  that  measures  be  adopted  to  raise  $25,000 
for  the  following  purposes :  $10,000  for  buildings ;  $7,500,  or  its 
full  value,  for  the  salaries  of  professors ;  $7,500,  or  its  avails,  for 
the  support  of  beneficiary  theological  students — the  last  two 
items  to  be  considered  as  filled  if  an  income  of  $1.500  per  annum 
is  provided  for  seven  years." 

Without  buildings  we  cannot  receive  students  nor  employ  com- 
petent instructors.  Ten  thousand  dollars,  expended  in  the  most 
economical  and  judicious  manner,  in  buildings,  in  addition  to  the 
present  building,  is  as  small  an  amount  as  we  ought  to  calculate. 


3*8  APPENDICES. 

The  remaining  $15,000,  divided  equally  for  two  definite  and 
most  necessary  objects,  is  temporary  capital  for  seven  years,  and 
is  proposed  to  be  raised  by  the  annual  payments  of  definite  sums 
for  that  period.  Thus  were  seventy-five  persons  to  contribute 
annually  ten  dollars  each  for  seven  years,  to  aid  beneficiary 
students,  it  would  be  equal  to  ten  per  cent  interest  on  a  capital  of 
$7,500  for  that  period.  This  income,  with  the  manual  labor  sys- 
tem appended  (as  is  intended  to  be  in  all  cases  of  students  for  the 
ministry)  would  support  twenty  students  for  the  whole  time,  or 
two  classess  of  twenty  each,  for  the  period  of  three  and  a  half 
years  to  each  class. 

The  same  general  principles  will  apply  to  the  other  branch  of 
this  hypothecated  capital. 

It  may  be  fairly  presumed  that  at  the  expiration  of  seven  years 
this  capital  may  be  renewed  with  far  less  difficulty  than  in  this 
stage  of  the  effort. 

SPECIAL  SUBSCRIPTIONS. 

Three  propositions  have  been  made  by  individuals  in  Boston 
and  vicinity  to  provide  special  subscriptions  for  a  term  of  years, 
equal  to  $15,000. 

1.  It  is  proposed  to  support  a  professor  of  theology  for  seven 
years,  by  ten  shares  of  $50  each  for  seven  years.     This  is  now 
nearly  filled. 

2.  A  gentleman  proposes  to  pay  $100  a  year  for  ten  years,  pro- 
vided nine  other  shares,  or  an  equal  amount  for  ten  years,  is  sub- 
scribed in  New  England  within  six  months. 

3.  Another  individual  proposes  to  pay  $100  per  annum  for  ten 
years  to  support  a  professor  of  mathematics  and  natural  philos- 
ophy, provided  four  other  shares  of  equal  amount  are  subscribed 
for  the  same  object. 

CONCLUSION. 

With  this  development  of  the  origin,  location,  objects,  plan 
and  wants  of  both  the  College  and  the  Seminary,  the  undersigned, 
on  behalf  of  the  trustees,  appeals  to  the  friends  of  Christ,  of  our 
country,  and  of  mankind  for  aid.  He  solicits  each  person  who 
may  read  this  address  to  decide  in  his  own  conscience,  by  the 
light  of  eternal  things,  how  much  of  that  bounty,  which  God  ha> 
entrusted  to  his  stewardship,  he  will  consecrate  to  this  most  im- 
portant design. 

On  behalf  of  the  trustees  of  both  the  Seminary  and  the  College. 

J.  M.  PECK,  Agent. 


APPENDICES.  3X9 


CREDENTIALS. 
NO.  I. 

FROM    THE   TRUSTEES. 

The  Trustees  of  Alton  College  of  Illinois  have  appointed  the 
Rev.  J.  M.  Peck  their  agent,  to  exhibit  the  plan  and  wants  of  their 
institution,  and  to  receive  the  subscriptions  and  donations  of  the 
liberal  and  philanthropic. 

Reposing  entire  confidence  in  his  experience  and  knowledge  of 
every  particular  concerning  the  institution,  after  commending  him 
to  God,  they  commend  him,  while  journeying  in  the  United  States, 
to  the  attention  and  confidence  of  the  friends  of  literature,  of 
Christ,  and  of  their  country.  HUBBEL  LOOMIS, 

President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

STEPHEN  GRIGGS,  Secretary. 
Alton  College,  April  i,  1835. 

NO.  II. 

FROM  THE  CONFERENCE  OF  BAPTIST  MINISTERS  IN  NEW  YORK. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  New  York  City  Conference  of  Baptist  Min- 
isters, held  at  the  Baptist  Home  Mission  Rooms,  Clinton  Hall,  on 
Monday,  May  i8th,  1835,  the  following  resolution  was  unani- 
mously adopted : 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  regard  with  great  interest  the  Sem- 
inary established  at  Alton,  Illinois;  renew,  with  much  solicitude, 
their  recommendation  of  it  to  the  liberality  of  the  churches  in  this 
region,  and  would  bespeak  for  its  agent,  the  Rev.  John  M.  Peck, 
the  attention  and  liberal  aid  of  our  brethren  throughout  the  middle 
and  eastern  states,  but  especially  in  this  city  and  its  vicinity. 

W.  R.  WILLIAMS,  Secretary. 

New  York  City  Conference  of  Baptist  Ministers. 

Mr.  Lewis  Colby,  late  of  Newton  Institution,  and  who  has  ac- 
cepted a  professorship  in  the  institution,  is  authorized  to  receive 
subscriptions  and  donations.  J.  M.  PECK. 

August  20,  1835. 


APPENDIX  II. 


COURSE  OF  STUDIES  ADOPTED  AUGUST  28,  1839. 
First  Term — 

Algebra Davies'  First  Lessons 

Latin  Prose Folsom's  Livy 

Third  Term — 

Exercises  during  the  first  year  in  writing  translations  of  Latin 
and  Greek  into  English  and  of  English  into  Latin  and  Greek,  also 
of  composing  in  Latin  and  Greek  and  in  declamation. 

Greek  Prose  Xenophon 

Exercises  during  the  second  year  in  English  Composition  and 

Second  Term — 

Geometry,  Plane  and  Solid Davies'  Legendre 

Latin  Prose Livy  or  Tacitus 

Greek  Prose  Xenophon 

Declamation. 

Geometry  (finished),  Algebra Davies'  Bourdon 

Latin  Prose  •  • Tacitus 

Greek  Prose  Herodotus 

Sophomore  Class. 
First  Term — 

Trigonometry,  Plane  and  Spherical Davies'  Legendre 

Latin  Poetry  •  • . .  .Horace 

Rhetoric Newman 

Second  Term — 

Application  of  Algebra  to  Geometry  (conic  sections).. Davies 

Latin  Poetry Horace 

Rhetoric  •  • Campbell 

Third  Term — 

Surveying,  Descriptive  Geometry Davies 

Greek  Poetry Homer 

Logic,  Moral  Evidence Gambier 

320 


APPENDIX  III. 


The  following  statement  represents  quite  fully  the  financial  and 
general  condition  of  the  College  in  the  year  1850,  just  half  a  cen- 
tury ago. 


A  FINANCIAL  REPORT 

OF  THE 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  SHURTLEFF  COLLEGE, 

ALTON,  ILLINOIS. 


Adopted  at  the  Annual  Meeting,  July  24,  1850,  and  ordered  tn 
published. 


At  a  special  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  Shurtleff  College,  held  in 
the  College  edifice,  in  Upper  Alton,  111.,  July  17,  the  president, 
Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards,  in  the  chair,  on  motion, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed,  with  the 
treasurer,  to  whom  shall  be  referred  the  report  of  the  treasurer, 
and  the  report  of  the  agent,  with  instructions  to  determine  the 
actual  financial  condition  of  the  College — the  situation  of  the 
bhurtleff  Professorship  Fund,  and  all  other  special  funds  belong- 
ing to  the  College. 

321 


322  APPENDICES. 

The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  J.  M.  Peck,  O.  M.  Adams,  A. 
Sherwood,  and  the  treasurer,  George  Smith,  Esq. 

The  subject  of  the  endowment  of  scholarships,  and  provision 
for  a  president,  were  referred  to  the  same  committee. 


WEDNESDAY,  JULY  24,  1850. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board,  Mr.  Edwards  in  the  chair, 
the  committee  made  report  on  the  various  subjects  referred  to 
them,  of  which  the  following  was  ordered  to  be  printed : 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  OF  SHURT- 
LEFF  COLLEGE. 

After  a  careful  and  laborious  investigation  of  the  topics  referred 
to  them — the  amount  and  condition  of  the  special  trust  funds  for 
professorships,  the  debts  owed  from  the  general  fund  to  each  of 
these  special  trusts ;  the  debts  owed  to  others ;  the  resources  pres- 
ent and  prospective  to  meet  these  claims;  the  agency  system, 
with  the  receipts  and  expeditures  of  that  department — your  com- 
mittee present  their  report. 

I.    SPECIAL  TRUST  FUNDS. 

These  are  the  Shurtleff  Professorship  Fund,  the  Edwards  Pro- 
fessorship Fund,  and  the  Pulliam  Beneficiary  Fund. 

THE  SHURTLEFF  PROFESSORSHIP  FUND. 

This  was  a  special  donation  from  the  late  Dr.  Benjamin  Shurt- 
leff, of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  in  November,  1835,  was  $5,000. 
According  to  the  terms  of  the  donor,  the  interest  was  to  be  added 
to  the  principal  annually  until  it  accumulated  to  a  sufficient 
amount  to  endow  the  professorship  of  oratory,  rhetoric  and 
belles  lettres.  This  process  was  carried  on  until  July,  1841,  when 
the  professorship  was  filled  by  the  appointment  of  the  late  Rev. 
Zenas  B.  Newman.  The  fund  at  that  time  was  $7,000,  and  the 
income,  at  six  per  cent,  $420  per  annum.  This  fund  originally 
was  included  in  a  note,  signed  by  certain  gentlemen  as  trustees 
of  Illinois  College,  secured  by  mortgage  on  their  premises,  and 
drawing  interest  at  six  per  cent  per  annum. 


APPENDICES.  323 

On  the  28th  of  July,  1840, 'during  the  pecuniary  embarrass- 
ment of  our  country,  and  the  pressure  on  the  trustees  to  meet 
contracts  on  the  new  building,  and  with  the  consent,  in  writing, 
of  the  late  Dr.  Shurtleff,  and,  in  accordance  with  a  provision  in 
the  by-laws  under  the  charter,  this  fund  was  loaned  to  the  build- 
ing committee,  and  invested  in  the  building  fund,  where  it 
remains.  The  only  defect  your  committee  discover  in  relation  to 
this  fund  is  the  neglect  in  providing  means  specifically  to  pay  the 
interest  semi-annually  to  the  salary  of  the  professor.  The  com- 
mittee suppose  the  payments  have  been  made,  and  they  recom- 
mend that  credits  be  entered  on  the  treasurer's  books  in  favor  of 
each  professorship,  and  charges  made  against  these  trust  funds. 

In  the  endowment  of  professorships  the  committee  suggests 
what  is  known  by  their  chairman  as  the  sentiment  of  the  late  Dr. 
Shurtleff,  and  it  accords  *vith  the  opinions  of  distinguished  men, 
experienced  in  collegiate  affairs,  that  it  is  not  advisable  to  have 
the  full  support  of  a  professor  derived  from  the  income  of  the 
endowment. 

A  stimulus  should  be  presented  from  an  additional  perquisite 
from  the  students  in  his  department,  and  his  salary  should  be 
graduated  by  the  income  from  that  source.  The  income  from  the 
endowment  should  be  sufficient  to  sustain  the  board  of  instruction 
under  the  fluctuations  to  which  all  colleges  are  liable. 

THE    EDWARDS    PROFESSORSHIP    FUND. 

The  committee  finds,  on  examination  of  the  records  of  the 
trustees,  that  July  6,  1842,  there  was  recognized,  by  note,  as  due 
from  the  general  fund  to  this  professorship  fund,  $937,  at  twelve 
per  cent  interest  per  annum.  On  the  I7th  of  March,  1843,  an  ar- 
rangement was  made  with  Mr.  Edwards,  in  accordance  with  his 
proposition,  for  an  exchange  of  property,  but  this  amount  of  the 
special  fund,  by  consent  of  the  donor,  was  loaned  to  the  general 
fund,  and  the  interest,  at  six  per  cent,  to  be  added  to  the  principal, 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  Shurtleff  fund,  and  they  have  calcu- 
lated it  accordingly. 

This  fund  was  to  endow  the  professorship  of  mathematics  and 
natural  philosophy;  and  although  the  chair  has  been  occupied, 
they  find  no  appropriation  made  from  this  fund  to  sustain  it ;  and 
as  all  parties  are  present  it  is  conceded  that  the  interest  should  be 
added  to  the  principal  to  the  first  of  this  month.  The  committee 


3^4  APPENDICES. 

have  reckoned  the  interest  on  the  bond  at  twelve  per  cent,  until 
the  property  was  exchanged,  and  six  per  cent  from  that  period, 
adding  interest  to  principal  annually.  The  amount  is  $1,840,  the 
interest  $110.40.  Belonging  to  this  fund  there  are  680  acres  of 
land  in  the  vicinity  of  Woodburn,  which,  if  sold  at  the  lowest 
rate,  would  realize,  in  the  aggregate,  $4,080.  This  would  increase 
the  fund  to  $5,920.  It  may  be  assumed  that  this  fund  is  worth  at 
least  $6,000.  Should  the  land  realize  in  cash  what  it  ought,  and 
what  it  will  in  two  or  three  years,  this  fund  will  be  $7,000.  Your 
Committee  recommend  that,  with  the  consent  of  the  donor,  the 
interest  in  the  cash  branch  of  this  fund  be  applied  toward  sus- 
taining the  professorship,  with  the  belief  that  the  avails  of  the 
land  will  make  this  endowment  equal  to  the  Shurtleff  fund. 

THE  PULLIAM  BENEFICIARY  FUND. 

Elder  James  Pulliam,  of  Belleville,  111.,  has  given  $1,000  for  a 
perpetual  fund,  the  interest  of  which  is  to  be  applied  semi-an- 
nnally  for  the  sole  purpose  of  paying  tuition  fees  of  beneficiary 
students  who  are  recognized  as  preachers  of  the  gospel  in  the 
Baptist  churches.  Of  this  $100  was  paid  two  years  and  a  half 
since,  and  the  interest  added  to  the  principal,  making  $115. 

The  balance  of  this  fund  is  secured  by  a  note,  which  is  not 
available  until  after  the  decease  of  the  donor;  but  he  has  made 
the  trustees  a  proposal  to  exchange  this  note  for  another  note  on 
a  gentleman  for  state  script,  by  which  some  gain  will  be  made  to 
the  principal,  and  interest  be  received  annually.  The  committee 
recommend  this  exchange  to  be  made,  and  further,  that  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  wish  of  the  donor,  the  interest  on  the  $115  and 
the  interest  that  may  be  realized  from  the  balance  of  this  fund  be 
regularly  applied  to  the  expense  of  tuition  fees  of  such  students  as 
may  be  pursuing  a  regular  course  of  study  for  the  ministry. 

The  income  of  these  trust  funds,  now  available,  will  be : 

For  the  Shurtleff  fund $420.00 

For  the  Edwards  fund 1 10.40 

For  the  Pulliam  fund 6.90 


Amount   $537-3o 

« 

The  committee  recommend  that  from  this  time  provision  be 
made  for  this  amount  of  interest  to  be  paid  semi-annually  and 


APPENDICES.  325 

credited  to  these  funds  and  appropriated  as  so  much  income  for 
tl  :  purposes  designed. 

[This  report  was  acted  on  separately,  and  all  the  suggestions 
adopted  unanimously  and  ordered  to  be  carried  aut] 

ENDOWMENT  OF  SCHOLARSHIPS. 

The  committee  to  whom  this  subject  was  referred  report  that, 
in  their  opinion,  the  endowment  fund  for  a  perpetual  scholarship 
should  be  $1,000,  and  the  income  be  fixed  at  $75  per  annum. 

Adopted  unanimously. 

ON   THE  TEMPORARY  ENDOWMENT  OF  THE  PRESIDENCY  AND   SECURING 
A  PRESIDENT. 

The  committee  reported  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  a  private  effort  be  made,  without  agency  ex- 
pense, through  a  committee  of  the  Board,  by  correspondence  and 
personal  efforts,  to  obtain  the  obligations  of  ten  responsible  per- 
sons, each  for  $100,  for  five  consecutive  years,  to  sustain  a  presi- 
dent— and  also  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  correspond 
and  find  out  some  person  with  the  requisite  qualifications  for  the 
office,  and  who  (if  elected)  would  accept  the  same,  and  report  his 
name  to  the  trustees. 

Resolved,  That  to  the  presidency  be  appended  the  professor- 
ship of  mental  and  moral  science  and  of  Christian  Theology. 

The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  of  the  foregoing  reso- 
lution were  Professor  Washington  Leverett,  Adiel  Sherwood, 
D.  D.,  and  J.  M.  Peck. 

GENERAL    FINANCES.  •      . 

The  treasury  is  indebted  (notes  given)  to  sundry  individuals 
for  cash  loaned,  labor  and  materials  on  buildings,  and  salaries  in 
an  ears  to  the  members  of  the  board  of  instruction,  to  the  aggre- 
gate of  $3,453.  The  interest  on  this  sum  at  six  per  cent  is  $207.18 
per  annum.  About  $1,000  of  this  amount  must  be  met  before 
Christmas. 

Due  the  Shurtleff,  Edwards  and  Pulliam  special  funds,  $8,955, 
on  which  interest  must  be  paid  semi-annually  of  $537.30. 

Due  creditors  as  above,  $3453,  making  the  whole  College  debts 
$12,408. 


326  APPENDICES. 

AVAILABLE  RESOURCES. 

The  buildings,  campus  and  farm  of  fifty  acres  are  not  reckoned 
as  "available  resources."  .  They  may  be  reckoned  in  value,  at  the 
lowest  rate,  at  $25,000,  and  constitute  the  capital  of  the  institution. 

The  proper  "available  resources"  to  pay  debts  and  replace  the 
special  trust  funds  are  the  following: 

Notes  and  subscriptions  unpaid,  received  by  the  agent,  and 

due  at  various   times $6,651 

Various  lands  and  town  lots  estimated  at  a  low  price  as  cash  2,600 


Amount  $9,251 

There  are  some  old  notes  and  subscriptions  of  several  years' 
standing,  on  which  something  may  be  realized ;  and  there  are  some 
tuition  bills  due.  But  in  collecting  the^  notes  and  subscriptions  in 
the  hands  of  the  agent  there  will  be  some  lost.  Your  committee 
report,  therefore,  a  deficiency  in  resources — an  amount  equal  to 
$3,5oo.  For  a  while  they  must  rely  on  the  future  liberality  of  the 
friends  of  the  College. 

Then  about  $500  are  indispensable  to  repair  the  Seminary  Hall 
and  fit  up  the  basement  of  the  chapel  for  the  preparatory  school. 

To  meet  the  pressure  of  the  debts  already  referred  to,  and  pro- 
vide this  expense,  the  committee  recommend  that  an  urgent  ap- 
peal be  made  to  their  friends  through  the  agent  to  provide  at  least 
$1,500  early  in  autumn. 

In  conclusion,  your  committee  would  add  that  they  have  exam- 
ined the  treasurer's  books,  the  records  of  the  Board,  and  the 
notes  and  subscriptions  in  the  hands  of  the  agent,  with  the 
utmost  scrutiny  and  care,  and  have  produced  the  result  in  this 
report.  They  see  nothing  discouraging  in  the  financial  condition 
of  the  College.  It  will  require  strenuous  effort,  promptitude  in 
payments,  close  economy  and  untiring  perseverance,  as  it  does  in 
all  such  business,  to  place  this  College  on  the  elevated  position  it 
is  destined  to  attain. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted — by  order  of  the  com- 
mittee. J.  M.  PECK,  Chairman. 


APPENDICES.  327 

REPORT  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  PRO  TEM.  OF  SHURT- 

LEFF  COLLEGE  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

FOR  THE  YEAR  ENDING  JULY  26,  1850. 

The  whole  number  of  students  during  the  past  year  has  been 
117.  The  number  in  attendance  each  term  has  been  as  follows: 
First  term,  89;  second  term,  91;  third  term,  83. 

In  the  classical  course n 

In  the  English  course ' •  • 16 

In  the  classical  preparatory  course 28 

In  the  English  preparatory  course 27 

In  the  junior  preparatory  school. 42 

Total  number  in  the  two  classical  departments 39 

Total  in  the  two  English  departments 43 

Total  in  the  j  unior  school 42 

Several  were  pursuing  Eaglish  studies  a  portion  of  the  year. 
Such  are  reported  in  both  courses.  The  attendance  of  students  to 
their  academical  exercises,  with  one  exception,  has  been  "regu- 
lar." With  few  exceptions  their  application  to  their  studies  has 
been  commendable,  and  their  progress  quite  creditable.  Also, 
with  few  exceptions,  their  deportment  has  been  worthy  of  appro- 
bation. Three  have  merited  an  "admonition"  before  their  fellow 
students,  one  a  "suspension"  for  a  period  of  seven  months,  and 
one  a  "suspension"  for  a  period  of  one  year. 

The  aoccessions  to  the  library  have  been  small,  consisting 
mostly  of  miscellaneous  pamphlets  and  maps  of  the  coast  surveys 
conducted  under  the  direction  of  the  national  government,  pre- 
sented by  different  officers  of  government  and  by  friends  of  the 
College.  Four  large  maps  have  been  purchased  at  an  expense  of 
$20. 

To  the  philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus  no  additions  have 
been  made. 

The  cabinet  has  been  increased  by  the  addition  of  a  considerable 
number  of  mineralogical  specimens  from  different  localities  in 
several  states  of  the  Union.  Henry  S.  Spaulding  has  deposited 
some  twenty  specimens,  collected  mostly  in  Arkansas.  Miss  Mary 
J.  Smith  has  deposited  a  box  of  gold  dust  received  from  Cali- 
fornia. Very  respectfully  submitted, 

WASHINGTON  LEVERETT. 


328  APPENDICES. 


THE    COLLEGE   AGENCY. 

[The  committee  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  investigated  the 
agency  system  and  referred  the  whole  subject  to  the  Board.  After 
full  deliberation  and  consultation  with  the  agent  through  a  special 
committee  they  unanimously  decided  that  the  agency  was  in- 
dispensable, and  with  equal  unanimity  reappointed  Rev.  Isaac  D. 
Newell,  at  a  salary  of  $600,  with  the  expectation  that  the  friends 
of  the  College  in  every  part  of  the  state  will  cordially  co-operate. 
J,  M.  P.] 


APPENDIX  IV. 


PREAMBLE  AND  RESOLUTIONS  IN  RELATION  TO  A 
SPECIAL  CONVENTION. 

WHEREAS,,  a  correspondence  has  been  held  with  Baptists 
throughout  Southern  and  Middle  Illinois,  and  a  response  made 
in  favor  of  holding  a  Special  Convention  this  season,  for  mutual 
consultation  in  respect  to  Shurtleff  College,  and  our  other  denom- 
inational interests  in  common;  and, 

WHEREAS,  an  expression  has  been  made  that  this  Association, 
the  oldest  in  the  state,  should  take  the  lead  in  giving  this  call ;  and, 

WHEREAS,  the  churches  in  Alton  and  Upper  Alton  have  kindly 
and  generously  proffered  their  hospitality  in  entertaining  a  con- 
vention ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  twelve  brethren  be  appointed  to 
take  the  subject  under  consideration  and  prepare  a  circular,  to  be 
sent  to  the  Association  and  Churches,  requesting  them  to  send 
Messengers;  and  that  brethren  generally,  who  desire  to  co- 
operate in  the  objects  specified,  be  also  invited  to  attend  said 
convention. 

The  Committee,  to  which  was  referred  the  Preamble  and  Reso- 
lutions calling  for  a  Convention,  respectfully  report  the  following: 

CIRCULAR   ADDRESS. 

To  Baptist  Associations,  Churches  and  Brethren  in  Middle  and 
Southern  Illinois,  and  to  All  Others  Whom  It  May  Concern: 
The  undersigned  Committee,  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the 

Southern  District  Baptist  Association,  held  at  Bethel,  St.  Clair 

county,  Illinois,  on  September  4th,  and  following  days,  1856,  make 

this  Address  to  their  Brethren: 
After  repeated  attempts  to  co-operate  with  the  brethren  in  the 

northern  section  of  the  state,  in  sustaining  and  endowing  Shurt- 

329 


330  APPENDICES. 

leff  College,  and  in  other  denominational  interests,  our  brethren 
in 'the  Middle  and  Southern  sections  have  only  met  with  disap- 
pointment. 

Within  a  few  months,  the  brethren  North,  and  especially  in 
Chicago,  have  organized  and  begun  to  build  a  University,  and,  of 
course,  it  is  in  vain  for  us  to  look  for  aid  from  that  part  of  the 
state ;  and  being  specially  desirous  to  avoid  all  future  disagreement 
and  unpleasant  collision  with  our  brethren  in  the  north,  and  to 
promote  union,  harmony  and  mutual  co-operation  throughout  the 
Association  and  Churches  in  Middle  and  Southern  Illinois,  and 
with  all  other  Baptists  who  will  cordially  co-operate  in  the  most 
simple,  efficient  and  economical  measures  for  promoting  the  inter- 
ests of  the  College,  and  of  Ministerial  Education ;  also,  aiding 
feeble  churches,  providing  missionary  help  in  destitute  towns  and 
settlements,  and  in  every  other  good  work.  Mutual  consultation 
as  to  the  best  measures  to  gain  these  objects,  we  suppose,  will  be 
prominent  in  the  Convention. 

It  is  not  for  this  Committee,  nor  even  this  Association,  to  indi- 
cate what  the  brethren  interested  in  this  movement  ought  To  do. 
It  is  for  the  assembled  people,  th'at  come  together  for  consultation, 
co-operation  and  union,  to  lay  out  their  own  proceedings.  We 
all  hope,  and  expect,  that  the  brethren  who  thus  assemble  will  be 
of  one  heart  and  one  mind  in  all  the  principles  of  action ;  that  they 
will  come  without  jealousy,  rivalship  or  sectional  partialities — 
give  no  occasion  for  debate  and  strife — and  in  the  true  spirit  of 
love  to  our  Divine  Master,  and  confidence  in  one  another,  be  pre- 
pared to  do  His  work,  as  the  finger  of  Providence  may*  indicate. 

We  can  truly  say,  that  the  prospects  of  Shurtleff  College  have 
not  been  so  encouraging  for  many  years;  that  from  the  sale  of 
property  no  longer  needed  for  College  purposes,  at  an  advanced 
price,  since  the  commencement  of  June  26th,  funds  have  been  ob- 
tained more  than  sufficient  to  pay  off  all  outstanding  debts;  and 
that,  before  the  time  of  the  Convention,  a  plan  will  be  matured, 
and  laid  before  that  body,  to  provide  an  ample  endowment,  with- 
out a  burdensome  expense  for  agents. 

We  are  assured  from  our  brethren  in  the  Southern  counties, 
that  manage  the  "Baptist  Convention  of  Southern  Illinois."  that 
they  are  heart  and  hand  with  us,  and  will  be  prepared  to  co- 
operate, in  the  most  cordial  and  effective  manner,  with  the 
brethren  in  Middle  Illinois,  and  as  far  North  as  may  be  desired, 
as  soon  as  arrangements  can  be  made. 


APPENDICES.  331 

The  new  paper,  called  "The  Illinois  Baptist,"  recently  started 
at  Benton,  by  their  enterprise  and  liberality,  will  advocate  union 
and  mutual  co-operation  among  us,  and  bids  fair  to  become  a 
strong  ally  in  all  our  measures. 

We  ask  the  Associations  who  receive  this  Circular  in  season 
to  send  Messengers  to  the  Convention ;  also  any  and  all  the 
Churches  where  brethren  feel  disposed  to  attend.  Brethren  who 
affiliate  with  us  in  the  objects  indicated  in  this  Circular  will  find 
a  cordial  welcome  as  members.  And  to  our  brethren  in  Missouri, 
who  feel  an  interest  in  Shurtleff  College,  we  say  come,  and  give 
us  your  counsel  and  prayers. 

We  have  assurances  that  the  Churches  of  Alton  and  Upper 
Alton,  with  their  accustomed  hospitality,  will  bid  welcome  to  their 
houses  and  hearts  all  who  may  come,  and  that  other  citizens  will 
participate  in  these  generous  efforts. 

The  time  of  the  Convention  to  be  the  last  Wednesday  in  Oc- 
tober and  the  following  days  (29th,  3Oth  and  3ist),  the  place  of 
meeting  the  Baptist  Church-house  in  Upper  Alton,  to  commence 
the  first  day  at  10  o'clock  A.  M. 

Elders: 

JAMES  LEMEN,  SR.,  Chairman. 
J.  M.  PECK,  Secretary. 
JOSEPH  LEMEN, 
T.  A.  MORTON, 
JOHN  PADON, 

Lay    Brethren: 

JAMES  H.  LEMEN, 

LEVI  BROWNING  (Benton,  111.), 

CHARLES  B.  STREET, 

SILVAN  us  HARLOW, 

J.  P.  HAYS. 

[Two  members  of  the  Committee  (E.  J.  Palmer  and  T.  B. 
White)  declined  to  vote  in  the  affirmative  in  the  report  to  the 
Association ;  but  on  a  slight  amendment  they  voted  for  it  in  the 
Association,  making  the  call  unanimous.]  SECRETARY. 

Bethel,  111.,  Sept.  6,  1856. 


APPENDIX  V. 


THE  FACULTY  AT  IMPORTANT  PERIODS. 

IN  1829. 

JOHN  RUSSELL,  Principal. 

REV.  JOHN  M.  PECK,  Theology. 

JOHN  MESSENGER,  Mathematics,  Etc. 

IN  1839- 


President  and  Professor  of  Moral  Philosophy. 

REV.  WASHINGTON  LEVERETT,  A.  M., 
Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy. 


Professor  of  Oratory,  Rhetoric  and  Belles  Lettres. 


Professor  of  Ancient  Languages. 

REV.  WARREN  LEVERETT,  A.  M., 
Principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department. 

REV.  ZENAS  B.  NEWMAN, 
Assistant  English  and  Classical  Tutor. 

332 


APPENDICES.  333 


IN  1849. 


President  and  Professor  of  Intellectual  and  Moral  Philosophy. 

REV.  WASHINGTON  LEVERETT,  A.  M., 
Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy. 

REV.  WARREN  LEVERETT,  A.  M., 
Professor  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  Languages. 

ERASTUS  ADKINS,  A.  M., 
Professor  of  Oratory,  Rhetoric  and  Belles  Lettres. 


Professor  of  Chemistry  and  Mineralogy. 

REV.  JUSTUS  BULKLEY,  A.  B.,  and 

WILLIAM  CUNNINGHAM,  A.  B., 
Tutors  and  Principals  of  the  Preparatory  Department. 

IN  1869. 

REV.  DANIEL  READ,  LL.  D.,  PRESIDENT, 
Kendall  and  Hancock  Professor  of  Mental  and  Moral  Science. 

OSCAR  HOWES,  A.  M., 
Gave  Professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  Languages  and  Literature. 

CHARLES  F  AIRMAN,  A.  M., 
Edwards  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy. 

ORLANDO  L.  CASTLE,  A.  M., 
Shurtleff  Professor  of  Oratory,  Rhetoric  and  Belles  Lettres. 

EBENEZER  MARSH,  JR.,  A.  M.  PH.  D., 
Hunter  Lecturer  on  Chemistry,  Geology  and  Mineralogy. 

EDWARD  A.  HAIGHT,  A.  B., 
Principal  of  Preparatory  Department. 


334  APPENDICES. 


THEOLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT. 

REV.  EDWARD  C.  MITCHELL,  A.  M.. 
Professor  of  Biblical  Literature  and  Interpretation. 

REV.  ROBERT  E.  PATTISON,  D.  D., 
Professor  of  Systematic  Theology  and  History  of  Doctrine. 

REV.  JUSTUS  BULKLEY,  D.  D., 
Professor  of  Church  History  and  Church  Polity. 


Professor  of  Pastoral  Theology. 

IN  1889. 

REV.  A.  A.  KENDRICK,  D.  D.,  PRESIDENT, 
Acting  Professor  of  Systematic  Theology. 

ORLANDO  L.  CASTLE,  LL.  D., 
Shurtleff  Professor  of  Oratory,  Rhetoric  and  Belles  Lettres. 

REV.  JUSTUS  BULKLEY,  D.  D., 
Professor  of  Church  History  and  Church  Polity. 


Professor  of  Biblical  Literature  and  Interpretation. 

CHARLES  FAIRMAN,  LL.  D., 

Edwards   Professor    of   Mathematics    and   Natural    Philosophy, 
Hunter  Lecturer  on  Chemistry,  Geology  and  Mineralogy. 

DAVID  G.  RAY,  A.  M., 
Gove  Professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  Languages  and  Literature. 

L.  F.  SCHUSSLER,  M.  D., 
Instructor  in  Physiology. 

*  The  duties  of  this  chair  are  performed  by  Dr.  Bulkley  and  Professor  Ray. 


APPENDICES.  335 


IN  1899. 

AUSTEN  KENNEDY  DE  BLOIS,  PH.  D.,  LL.  D.,  PRESIDENT, 
Professor  of  Psychology  and  Ethics. 

REV.  JUSTUS  BULKLEY,  D.  D.,  LL.  D., 
Professor  of  History. 

GEORGE  ERNEST  CHIPMAN,  A.  M.,  LL.  B., 
Professor  of  Political  and  Social  Science. 

SAMUEL  ELLIS  SWARTZ,  PH.  D., 
Professor  of  the  Natural  Sciences. 

DAVID  GEORGE  RAY,  A.  M., 
Professor  of  Latin  and  Greek. 

CHARLES  HOBEN  DAY,  A.  M., 
Professor  of  Modern  Languages. 

VICTOR  LEROY  DUKE,  A.  B., 
Professor  of  Mathematics. 

DAVID  H.  JACKSON,  B.  L., 
Instructor  in  Physiology;  Director  of  Physical  Culture. 

JAMES  PRIMROSE  WHYTE,  A.  B., 
Instructor  in  English  Literature  and  Oratory. 

EDWARD  C.  LEMEN,  A.  M.,  M.  D., 

Medical  Examiner. 


APPENDIX  VI. 


TABLE     SHOWING    THE    ENROLLMENT    OF    COLLEGE     STUDENTS     FOR    A 
PERIOD    OF    FIFTY    YEARS — 1849-1899. 

Year.  Freshmen.    Soph' 

1849-50 2  0 

1850-51 11  7 

1851-52 

1852-53 4  10 

1853-54 9  9 

1854-55 6  11 

1855-56 11  10 

1856-57 16  13 

1857-58 22  19 

1858-59 14  12 

1859-60 9  7 

1860-61 13  14 

1861-62 13  17 

1862-63 14  9 

1863-64 19  18 

1864-65 5  4 

1865-66 8  15 

1866-67 13  11 

1867-68 19  12 

1868-69 10  11 

1869-70 15  7 

1870-71 9  11 

1871-72 12  6 

1872-73 32  9 

1873-74 27  20 

1874-75 16  12 

1875-76 20  9 

1876-77 10  18 

1877-78 ,    20  12 

1878-79 19  14 

1879-80 15  14 

1880-81 16  6 

1881-82 13  11 

1882-83 10  8 

1883-84 16  ><• 

1884-85 9  « 

1885-86 3  4 

1886-87 17  3 

1887-88 : 10  14 

1888-89 14  8 

1889-90 12  6 

1890-91 13  9 

1891-92 13  14 

1892-93 11  11 

1893-94 13  11 

1894-95 11  8 

1895-96 18  8 

1896-97 18  19 

1897-98 30  14 

1898-99 33  22 

Thus  the  average  annual  attendance  upon  College  classes  during  the 
presidency  of  Dr.  Wood  (1850  to  1855)  was  23.5;  during  that  of  Dr. 
Read  (1856  to  1870),  37.5;  during  that  of  Dr.  Bulkley  (acting  presi- 
dent, 1870-72),  39  ;  during  that  of  Dr.  Kendrick  (1872-94),  42.9  :  during 
that  of  Dr.  De  Blois  (1894-99),  65. 

336 


Juniors. 

Seniors.  Special.  Total. 

2 

0 

4 

3 

1 

22 

4 

-6 

3 

23 

1 

4 

23 

3 

1 

21 

10 

7 

38 

5 

9 

43 

6 

4 

51 

14 

1 

41 

8 

6 

30 

6 

7 

38 

5 

7 

42 

7 

4 

34 

12 

6 

55 

8 

4 

21 

6 

5 

34 

6 

1 

31 

7 

4 

42 

5 

7 

33 

9 

3 

34 

6 

8 

34 

6 

6 

30 

4 

3 

48 

9 

3 

59 

13 

9       3      53 

7 

14       4      54 

5 

6       9      48 

8 

9       6      55 

8 

9       8      58 

8 

9      10      56 

10 

7       9      48 

5 

10      10      49 

5 

6      11      40 

6 

5       9      45 

7 

6       6      36 

5 

7       4      23 

4 

5       4      33 

2 

4       2      32 

10 

1       0      33 

6 

8       8      40 

8 

5       6      41 

8 

7       4      46 

11 

6       5      44 

7 

11      10      o2 

7 

4       4      34 

12 

8       8      54 

9 

15       9      70 

15 

10       S      77 

12 

15       8      90 

INDEX. 


Abbott,  A.  L. :     catalogues  library,  255 ;  report  of,  as  treasurer, 

298. 

Abbott,  Dr.  L.  A. :    appointed  comptroller,  296. 
Academic  Hall:    completed,  58;  renovated,  156;  addition  to,  157. 
Adams,  Orleans  M.,   117. 
Adams,  Principal  S.,  160. 
Adkins,  Prof.  E. :     appointed,  105 ;  enters  a  complaint,  126 ;  sues 

the  College,   129. 
Agency :    of  Mr.  Peck,  26-28 ;  of  Mr.  Loomis,  55-58 ;  second,  of 

Mr.  Peck,  62-70;  proposed,  86;  of  Dr.  Sherwood,  103;  of 

Mr.  Newell,  105;  of  Dr.  Bulkley  and  Mr.  Newell,  124;  of 

B.   B.   Hamilton,   136;   of  Horace  Pierce,   137;  of  H.  L. 

Field,  138;  of  H.  K.  Daniels,  148,  157;  of  H.  L.  Field,  156; 

of  Mills  and  Daniels,   158;  of  Dr.  Mitchell,  199;  of  Dr. 

Johnson,  235 ;  of  J.  G.  Lemen,  251 ;  of  H.  W.  Thiele,  251 ; 

of  E.  S.  Graham,  257-262;  of  Dr.  Kendrick,  272,  275-6;  of 

Dr.  de  Blois,  297. 
Almira  College,   158. 
Alpha  Sigma  Society,  160. 
Alpha  Zeta  Society :    its  beginnings,  107 ;  place  of  meeting,  121 ; 

tribute  to,  142 ;  contests  with  Sigma  Phi  Society,  253 ;  his- 
tory of,  published,  298. 
Alton:  in  1819,  20;  patronage  of  College  from,  248;  as  location 

for  a  college,  309. 

Alton  Female  Institute:     chartered,  77. 
Alton    Seminary:     beginnings    of,    53;    building   for,    projected, 

53 ;  embarrassments  of,  59 ;  students  at,  64 ;  origin  of,  309  ; 

objects  of,  312;  needs  of,  313-15- 
Alton    Theological    Seminary:      established,    66,    313;    becomes 

branch  of  College,  90;  work  of,  184-6;  rules  and  pledge  in, 

185;  students  of,  185-6. 

337 


338  INDEX. 

Alumni:  meeting  of,  217;  banquet,  218;  banquets  in  Chicago, 
295- 

American  Bap.  Education  Society:  pledge  of,  270;  pays  its 
share  of  endowment,  277;  extends  time  limit,  296;  for- 
wards its  quota,  297. 

American  Bible  Society,  38. 

American  Educational  Society,  Illinois  branch  of,  48. 

Anderson,   Dr.   Galusha,   237. 

Annex,  The,  261-2. 

Ansman,  Dr.  Alexander,  120. 

Ante-Nicene  Library,  221. 

Anti-missionary  Baptists:  oppose  education,  25,  34,  57;  their  bit- 
terness, 175-179. 

Appeal  for  aid :  to  establish  a  school,  26 ;  by  Dr.  Going  for 
Alton  Seminary,  49;  by  Mr.  Loomis  in  the  East,  55,  58; 
by  Mr.  Peck  for  Alton  College,  67;  for  money  to  build, 
147;  to  cancel  debt,  224;  for  larger  endowments,  229;  by 
Dr.  Johnson,  236;  by  Dr.  Kendrick  to  Board,  256-8. 

Articles  of  agreement,  inaugurating  Alton  Seminary,  53. 

Art  School :     instituted,  249. 

Athletics  :     enthusiasm  for,  294 ;  victories  in,  299. 

Auditor :  appointed,  85. 

Avery,  Prof.  W.  H.  H.,  275. 

Babcock,  Dr.  Rufus :     called  to  presidency,  108. 

Bailey,  Rev.  Alvin,  181. 

Bailhache,  Major,  144. 

Baker,  Col.  J.  P.,  144,  153- 

Baker,  Edward  L.,  106.  %. 

Baker,  Judge  David  J.,  122. 

Baker,  Rev.  S.  H.,  100,  237. 

"Band  of  Faith" :  established,  162 ;  description  of,  163-6 ;  at- 
tacked, 166 ;  Dr.  Read  defends,  167 ;  estimate  of,  168. 

Baptist:  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  17;  church,  first  beyond 
the  Mississippi,  18;  Convention  of  Illinois,  formed,  179; 
Convention  of  Southern  Illinois,  109;  Ed.  Society  of  Phil- 
adelphia, 17;  General  Association  of  Illinois,  109,  118,  123; 
Home  Miss.  Society  founded,  43;  Theological  College  at 
Paris,  208. 

Baptists:  in  U.  S.  in  1776,  12;  in  Illinois  in  1800,  12;  in  Illinois 
in  1827,  36." 


INDEX.  339 

Barnes,  Rev.  Mr.,  141. 
Beecher,  President  Edward,  69. 

Bible,   The :     made  a  text-book,    194 ;   literary  study  of,   intro- 
duced, 299. 

Bible  Union  Version  of  the  Scriptures,   127. 
Birthday  of  "Father"  Loomis,  220. 
Blackburn,  Dr.,  69. 
Blackburn  University,  260. 
Blue  River   Association,    189. 
Board,  charge  for,  121. 
Boarding-house,  College :     rent  of,  100 ;  explanations  concerning, 

in. 

Boarding  students,  at  Rock  Spring,  36. 

Board  of  Trustees :     organization  of,  53 ;  authorize  opening  of 
Seminary,  58-9;  double  identity  of,  66;  inactivity  of,  73; 
difficulties  in,  84;  decide  to  build,  85;  dissensions  in,  95, 
98;  vindication  of,   no;  criticism  of,   122;  Bible  Revision 
and,  128;  Faith  Band  and,  168;  plan  a  University,  210;  per- 
plexed over  debts,  224;  purchase  Kendall  Institute,  225-6; 
self-perpetuating,  313;  financial  report  of,  318-23. 
Book  Fund,  for  theological  students,  152. 
Bookkeeping,  careless,  84. 
Bower,    Elder  Jacob:     and   the  "Hardshells,"    177;   address  on 

Education,    189. 
Boyd,  Dr.  W.  W.,  290. 

Bradley,  Joshua:  his  life,  35;  principal  at  Rock  Spring,  36; 
his  administration,  40;  he  resigns,  42;  teacher  of  Dr.  Pat- 
tison,  206. 

Branch,  Rev.  H.  H.,  287. 
Briggs,  Prof.  A.,  119. 
Broadus,  Dr.  J.  A.,  204. 
Brown,  Dr.  Erastus,  21. 
Brown,  Gen.  P.  P.,  144. 
Brown  University,  16,  61. 

Building,  New:    planned,  155;  to  be  finished  by  faith,  168. 
Buckmaster,  Hon.  Samuel,  54. 

Bulkley,  Dr.  Justus :  a  prize-winner,  101 ;  temporary  tutor,  104 ; 
graduation,  106;  becomes  professor,  120;  as  College  agent, 
124;  acting  president,  212;  speaks  at  Jubilee,  239;  jubilee 
of  graduation  celebrated,  287-90 ;  death  of,  300-1 ;  char- 
acter of,  301-3. 


34°  INDEX. 

Bulkley,  Sarah  E.,  213,  222,  288. 
Burlingame,  Rev.  A.  H.,  169. 
Burroughs,  Dr.  J.  C,  128,  129,  228. 
Business  course,  introduced,  249. 

Cahokia,  n. 

Canton  Female  Institution,  118. 

Carr,  H.  M.,  288. 

Carrollton  Academy,  118. 

Castle,  Lucius  M.,  222. 

Castle,  Prof.  O.  L. :  called  to  Shurtleff,  120 ;  re-appointed,  129  ; 
his  teaching,  139;  hymn  at  corner-stone  laying,  155;  death 
of,  273 ;  life  and  character,  273-5. 

Castle,  W.  A.,  129. 

Cellar,  the  old,  280. 

Centennial  Fund  :    suggested,  229. 

Chancellor :     Dr.  Johnson  elected,  241. 

Chapel,  new,  built,  250. 

Chapin,  Professor,  16. 

Chapman,  H.  R.,  287. 

Charges,  against  the  College,  108,  109. 

Charter :  sought  for  Rock  Spring  Seminary,  57 ;  granted  to 
Alton  College,  57 ;  second,  to  Alton  College,  65 ;  amended 
to  include  Theol.  Dept,  90;  as  guardian  of  denominational 
interests,  109,  no;  amendment  to,  regarding  saloons,  etc., 

143- 

Chase,  H.  S.,  203. 

Chicago  Alumni  Association  formed,  295. 
Chicago  University:     proposed,   130;  growth  of,  227;  competes 

with  Shurtleff,  228;  closes  its  doors,  252. 
Chipman,  Prof  G.  E.,  285. 
Cholera  epidemic,  55. 

Churches,  the  and  the  College :    plan  for  bringing  together,  123. 
Civil  War,  the :     its  effect  on  the  College,   143-145 ;   Shurtleffs 

representatives  in,  144,  146. 
Clark,  George  Rogers,  u. 
Clarke,  Prof.  J.  C.  C. :    gives  lectures,  229 ;  duties  of,  242 ;  gives 

address,  251. 

Class-day  established,  259. 
Clayton,  Capt.  G.  E.,  145. 


INDEX.  341 

Cloran,  Prof.  T.,  286. 

Co-education;  investigated,  159;  secured,  213;  growth  of  idea  of. 
288. 

Colby,  Prof.  L. :  agency  work  of,  69,  71 ;  character  of,  74 ;  ap- 
pointment of,  75  ;  duties  of,  74 ;  proposed  as  agent,  87 ;  work 
of  professor  of  theology,  184-186;  resigns,  193;  resignation 
accepted,  195. 

Colby  University:     its  beginnings,  16. 

College  band,  260. 

College  class  established,  88. 

College  president,  requirements  for  a,  214. 

"College  Review":     established,  254;  success  of,  299. 

Colonization  Society,  38. 

Columbian  University,  15,  17,  75,  97,  206. 

Comptroller :     office  of,  established,  296. 

Conference  at  Rock  Spring,  29-32;  at  the  College,  109. 

Contests,   Society,  259. 

Coon,  R.  R. :  declines  presidency,  131. 

Commencement  Exercises:  in  1841,  93;  in  1845,  101 ;  in  1865, 
154;  in  1872,  215-218;  in  1874,  230;  at  Jubilee,  237-240;  in 
1897,  287-91. 

Consecration  of  wealth,   150. 

Convention  of  Western  Baptists :  first  session,  61 ;  second  ses- 
sion, 72. 

Cook,  Brig,  Gen.  John,  144. 

Cook  Academy,  231. 

Couzins,   Miss  Phoebe,   169. 

Covington,  Seminary  at:  founded,  182;  its  career,  201,  202;  Dr. 
Pattison  and,  206. 

Craig,  Rev.  James,  23. 

Credentials:   of  Mr.    Peck,  317. 

Crozer  Theological  Seminary,  105,  233. 

Cunningham,  William :  graduation  of,  106 ;  charter  member  of 
Alpha  Zeta  Society,  107. 

Curriculum:  in  1839,  89,  317;  in  Dr.  Wood's  time,  116;  in  Dr. 
Read's  time,  139;  lengthened,  256. 

Daily  prayer-meeting  established,   143. 

Daniels,  Rev.  H.  K. :  appointed,  200;  success  as  agent,  148;  visits 

Mr.  Gove,  149;  resigns,  157. 
Davidson,  Prof.  C,  118. 


342  INDEX. 

Day,  Prof.  C.  H.,  292. 

De  Blois,  President  Austen  K.,  277. 

Debt:   of  College,  125;  floating,  224. 

Dedication  of  Martha  Wood  Cottage,  261. 

Deficiency  pledges,  285. 

Deficit:     in  1865,  157;  in  1868,  161 ;  in  1884,  251;  in  1894,  283. 

Degrees:    conferred  in  1841,  93;  dispute  about,  94-96. 

Denison,  J.  W.,  119. 

Denison,   Rev.   R.   C,  287. 

Departments,  new,  instituted,   249. 

Dimmock,  Hon.  Thos.,  268. 

Discipline:  in  the  early  days,  80;.  under  Dr.  Wood,  121;  under 
Dr.  Read,  146;  new  scheme  of,  243. 

Dodge,  Josiah,  12. 

Dodge,  Prof.  G.  B. :  a  graduate  of  1857,  called  to  Shurtleff,  170; 
early  labors,  170;  presides  at  dinner,  218;  work  for  alumni 
library,  223 ;  death  of,  271 ;  his  services,  271. 

Dodge,  Rev.  Henry  W.,  93. 

"Domestic  Mission"  established,   15. 

Doolittle,  Senator  J.  R.,  228. 

Dormitory :  planned,  85 ;  exterior  completed,  91 ;  work  on  in- 
terior, 94,  98,  107;  interior  completed,  121;  renovated, 
264-5 ;  renovated,  272. 

Draper,  Solomon,  217. 

Dubois,  Senator  Fred  T.,  170. 

Duke,  Prof.  V.  L.,  292. 

Duncan,  R.  S.'s  History  of  Baptists  in  Missouri,  45. 

Dunlap,  Col.  James,  114. 

Early  Settlements  in  Illinois,  n. 

Eaton,    Prof.,   233. 

Education:  missions  and,  15;  in  the  West,  i6~,  zeal  for,  118;  op- 
position to,  178;  advocacy  of,  180;  evangelical,  310;  Roman 
Catholics  and,  311-313. 

Education,  ministerial :     report  on,  180. 

Educational  Commission,  Am.  Bap.,  229,  235. 

Edwards,  Dr.  Benjamin  F. :  comment  on  removal  of  School, 
44;  interest  in  Alton  Seminary,  63;  removal  from  Illinois, 
104. 

Edwards,  Governor,  40. 


INDEX.  343 

Edwards,  Hon.  Cyrus :     interest  in  Alton  Seminary,  63 ;  gift  to 

College,  81,  82;  president  111.  Lit.  and  Hist.  Society,  101 ; 

president  Board  of  Trustees,  104;  resigns,  117;  advocates 

Law    Dept,    211;    and   "Father"    Loomis,   220;    speaks   at 

Jubilee,  239. 

Edwards'  professorship  fund,  320-1. 
Ellis,  Dr.  Frank  M.,  153,  230. 
Ellis,  John  M.,  33. 
Endorsement :    of  Alton  College,  67. 
Endowment :    in  1864,  148 ;  in  years  1882-6,  257 ;  subscriptions  to 

new,  277. 

English,  Dr.  J.  B.,  217.. 
Enochs,  Isaac,  13. 
Enlargement,  Plan  of,  283. 
Enrollment  of  Students :    at  Rock  Spring,  37,  46 ;  in  1840,  90 ;  in 

1842,  99;  decrease  in,  102-3;  in  1848-49,  106;  in  1850,  325; 

in  1851,  115;  in  war  times,  144,  145,  146;  of  theology,  203; 

in  1871-3,  222;  in   1873-4,  227  '>  decreases,  231;  in  college 

department  decreases,  256;  general,  grows,  265;   in   1894, 

280;  growth  of,  291-2,  300. 
Entrance  requirements  raised,  256. 
Evans,  B.  H.,  161. 

Executive  Committee:     appointed,  117;  first  meeting,  118. 
Expenses:     at  Rock  Spring,  37;  in  1853,  121. 

Faculty:  faithfulness  of,  81,  102;  changes  in,  119;  strength  of, 
122 ;  resign,  127 ;  under  Dr.  Read,  133 ;  strength  of,  161, 
285-6 ;  changes  in,  292 ;  at  important  periods,  330. 

Faculty  meeting,  first,  79. 

Fairman,  Dr.  Charles:  comes  to  Shurtleff,  170;  president  pro 
tempore,  212;  resigns,  226;  returns,  231;  duties  of,  242; 
death  of,  281 ;  life  and  work,  281-2. 

Fairmount  Theological  Seminary,  202. 

Field,  Major  H.  L. :  as  College  agent,  138;  as  soldier,  144;  do- 
nates 'war  relics,  152. 

Financial  crisis,  156. 

Financial  problems :  at  inception  of  Alton  Seminary,  52,  55 ;  in 
1835,  62;  in  1842,  ioo;  in  1865,  156;  in  1897-8,  296;  report 
in  1850,  319-324- 

Fines,  for  absence  from  class,  98. 

First  lady  graduate,  213,  288. 


344  INDEX. 

First,  Mrs.  H.  C,  264. 
Fisher,  Principal   O.,   118. 
Flagg,  W.  C.,  211. 
Flood,  Rev.  Noah,  100. 
Ford,  Dr.  J.  W.,  270. 
Ford,  Dr.  S.  H.,  238,  289. 
Foulon,  I.  D.,  161,  218. 
Fox,  Capt.  Francis  W.,  145. 
Frances  Shinier  Academy,  263. 

Franklin  College:  chartered,  79;  and  Warren  Leverett,  90;  sus- 
pended, 146. 

Free  tuition  to  theological  students,  81. 
Freshman  class :     of  1873,  222 ;  the  largest,  300. 
"Friends  of  Humanity" :     organized,  13 ;  condition  in  1819,  13. 
Furman,  Dr.,   16. 

Gallaher,  Dr.  H.  M.,  230. 

Gardiner,  Hiram  A.,  99. 

General  Convention  of  Western  Baptists.  182. 

Georgetown  College,  108,  202. 

Gibons,  John,  12. 

Gift:  of  Dr.  Shurtleff,  70;  of  Hon.  C.  Edwards,  81,  82;  of  Mr. 
Gove,  117;  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gove,  148-152;  of  Mr.  Wood, 
261 ;  of  Mr.  Hayward,  268 ;  of  Mr.  Pierson,  270. 

Gillham,  Hon.  D.  B. :  presides  at  dedication,  250;  assassination 
of,  268. 

Going,  Dr.  Jonathan :  visits  the  West,  43 ;  his  reference  to  the 
School,  45 ;  his  aid  asked,  55 ;  founds  Educational  Associa- 
tion, 60;  called  to  presidency,  81,  82;  aids  ministerial  cul- 
ture, 193;  teacher  of  Dr.  Pattison,  206;  paper  concerning, 
at  Jubilee,  239. 

Gove,  Elijah:  President  Wood  visits,  117;  gives  to  Prof.  Bulk- 
ley,  125;  his  greatest  gift,  148-152;  telegraphs  help,  161. 

Gove,  Mrs.  E. :    gifts  of,  148,  151,  152. 

"Gove  University"  proposed,  210. 

Graduating  class  of  1864  enlist,  146. 

Graham,  Mrs.  E.  S.,  264. 

Graham,  Rev.  E.  S. :    as  agent,  257-262. 

Granville  Lit.  and  Theol.  Institution :  founded,  78 ;  Dr.  Going 
accepts  presidency  of,  83 ;  President  Wood  receives  degree 
from,  114;  Dr.  Castle  a  graduate  of,  274. 


INDEX.  345 

Greenleaf,   Elder,    189. 

Green,  Rev.  T.  P.,  38. 

Greene,  W.  W.,  298. 

Griggs,  Miss  Annette,  294. 

Griswold,  Rev.  R.  W.,  102. 

Guild,  Rev.  G.  P.,  218. 

Gymnasium :     proposed,  269 ;  built,  270. 

Haight,  Prof.  E.  A.,  170,  218. 

Haight,  R.  A.,  218. 

Hamilton,  B.  B.,  136. 

Hamilton  Lit.  and  Theol.  Inst.,  99,  114. 

Hammond,   Rev.   E.    P.,  Revivalist,  226. 

Harris,  Chapin  A.,  99. 

"Hardshells"  :     See  Anti-missionary  Baptists. 

Harney,   Paul  E.,  290. 

Haskell,  Dr.,  67. 

Haynes,  Dr.  Myron  W. :  service  for  Kalamazoo  College,  252 ; 
president  of  Shurtleff  Board  of  Trustees,  299. 

Hayward,  W.  E.,  268,  286. 

Henson,  Dr.  P.  S. :  address  at  dedication,  250 ;  address  before 
literary  societies,  290. 

Hinton,  Rev.  I.  T. :    called  to  presidency,  92 ;  given  a  degree,  93. 

Historical  address:     at  corner-stone  laying,  154;  at  Jubilee,  237. 

"History  of  the  Alpha  Zeta  Society,"  298. 

Hobbs,  C.  A. :  an  editor  of  "Qui  Vive,"  161 ;  poem  at  Jubilee, 
237;  poem  at  seventieth  anniversary,  291. 

Howard,  Jordan,  39. 

Howell,  Rev.  R.  B.  C.,  92. 

Howes,  Prof.  Oscar :  appointed,  129 ;  his  teaching,  139 ;  he  re- 
signs, 231. 

Humphrey,  Hon.  J.  Otis :  member  of  class  o*  '76,  223 ;  teacher 
in  prep«  dept,  233 ;  wins  oratorical  prizt,  224 ;  helps  en- 
dowment canvass,  275. 

Illinois:  won  from  the  French,  n;  population  of,  12;  condition 
of,  in  1776,  12;  in  1822,  25;  school  fund  of,  25;  310-11; 
population  in  1863,  198. 

"Illinois  Baptist,"  The,  328. 

Illinois  Baptist  Convention,  67. 


346  INDEX. 

Illinois  Baptist  Education  Society :     an  ally  of  the  College,  79 ; 

nominates  trustees,  123;  formation  of,  187;  work  of,  191; 

relation  of,  to  State  Convention,  192. 
Illinois  College:    seeking  a  charter,  66;  agency  of,  69;  Mr.  Dodge 

a  teacher  in,  170;  supports  Shurtleff,  246;  an  evangelical 

school,   310. 

Illinois  Industrial  University,  246. 
Illinois  Union  formed,  13. 
Illinois  United   Baptist  Association :     formed,   13 ;  condition  in 

1819,  13 ;  statements  of,  denouncing  missions,  176. 
Inaugural  address  of  Dr.  Kendrick,  215,  216. 
Income  from  trust  funds  in   1850,  322. 
Indiana :     a  new  state,  17 ;  use  of  public  funds,  25 ;  educational 

beginnings  in,  78. 
Indiana  Baptist  Institute,  79. 
Infidelity:    debate  on,  41. 
Isolation  of  the  College,  122. 
Ives,  Charles,  144. 
Ives,  Rev.  Dwight,  84. 

Jacobs,  Rev.  Bela:     his  tour  in  the  West,  60;  refers  \?  Alton 

Seminary,  60;  urges  an  agency,  60. 
Jackson,  David  H.,  294. 
Jackson,  Dr.  J.  B.,  122,  288. 
Jackson,  Prof.  A.  M.,  233. 
Jeter,  Dr.  J.  B.,  204. 
Jewell,  Dr.  William,  79. 
Johnson,  Dr.  G.  J. :     undertakes  canvass,  235;  his  appeal.  236; 

address  at  Jubilee,  238;  concludes  his  canvass,  241. 
"Joint  Sociable"  instituted,  242. 
Jubilee:     exercises,  237-240;  poem,  239-240. 
Jubilee  of  Dr.  Bulkley's  graduation,  celebrated,  287-290. 
Junior  Preparatory  Dept.,  116. 

Kalamazoo  College,  252. 
Kaskaskia,   n. 
Kay,  James  R.,  120. 
Keirsey,  Capt.  E.  D.,  145. 
Kendall,  Charles  S.,  203. 

Kendall,  H.   N. :     letter  to,    134;  lays  corner-stone,   155;   home 
becomes  ladies'  school,  160;  sells  home  to  College,  224-226. 


INDEX.  347 

Kendall  Institute :    opened,  226 ;  closed,  233. 

Kendrick,  President  A.  A. :  policy  in  theological  instruction, 
209;  election  of,  214;  earlier  life,  214;  establishes  lectures, 
229;  undertakes  canvass,  235;  opens  Jubilee  programme, 
237 ;  preaching  of,  245  ;  directs  rhetorical  exercises,  248 :  adds 
new  departments,  249;  secures  money  for  chapel,  250; 
comments  on  college  financiering,  253 ;  begins  canvass  for 
endowment,  270;  success  of  his  canvass,  275-6;  resigna- 
tion of,  277. 

Kline,  Lewis  E.,  255. 

Kline,  R.  E.  R.,  287. 

Lady  students :     home  for,  225 ;  fewness  of,  262. 

Land:     speculation  proposed,  68;  sale  of,  proposed,  86. 

Latham,  Mr.  Robert,  251. 

Law   Department  proposed,   211. 

Lawson,  Z.  B. :  as  agent,  120;  his  wise  stipulation,  147;  words 
concerning  agents,  157. 

Lectures:  expository,  98,  in;  course  of,  instituted,  169;  to 
young  ministers,  198;  course  of,  213;  course  by  Prof 
Clarke,  229;  chapel  course  established,  292-4;  Leland  Uni- 
versity, 208. 

Lemen,  James,  Jr.,  30. 

Lemen,  James,  Sr.,  2. 

Lemen,  Mrs.  M.  P.,  178,  238. 

Lemen,  Rev.  J.  G.,  251. 

"Lend  a  Hand  Society,"  The,  279. 

Leverett,  Dr.  Washington :  election  as  professor,  75 ;  early  days, 
75;  acting  president,  79,  84;  services  of,  102;  acting  presi- 
dent, 104;  resigns,  119;  his  teaching,  139;  resigns,  162;  re- 
classifies  library,  169;  relation  to  Education  Society,  192; 
has  theological  classes,  194 ;  death  of,  265 ;  character  of, 
266-8. 

Leverett,  Mrs.  M.  A.,  220. 

Leverett,  Mrs.  J.,  265. 

Leverett,  Prof.  Warren:  visits  Dr.  Going,  83;  principal  of 
preparatory  dept.,  89;  early  years,  89,  90;  services  of,  102; 
resigns,  119;  reappointed,  133;  his  teaching,  139;  resigns, 
162;  relation  to  Education  Society,  192;  death  of,  219; 
character  of,  266-8. 


348  INDEX. 

Library:  at  Rock  Spring,  35;  transferred  to  Alton,  54;  growth 
of,  93;  additions  to,  103;  Dr.  Peck's  legacy  to,  134;  char- 
acter of,  in  1858,  139;  rearranged  by  Dr.  Leverett,  169; 
alumni,  suggested,  223 ;  arranged  and  catalogued,  255 ;  ac- 
cessions in  1850,  325. 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  portrait  of,  153. 

"Location,  Mission  and  Needs  of  Shurtleff  College,"  215. 

Log-cabin  boarding  house :  at  Rock  Spring,  34 ;  at  Upper  Alton, 
59- 

Log-cabins  :     for  students,  54. 

Long,  Major  George  W.,  100,  117. 

Loomis,  Hubbel :  principal  of  Alton  Seminary,  40 ;  Mr.  Peck's 
visit  to  him,  50;  his  early  life,  51;  removes  from  Kas- 
kaskia,  52;  his  school  at  Edwardsville,  52;  begins  school 
at  Upper  Alton,  53 ;  visits  the  East,  55 ;  devotion  to  the 
School,  63 ;  president  of  both  College  and  Theological 
Seminary,  66;  resigns,  79;  tribute  to,  141;  in  old  age,  154; 
birthday  of,  220;  death  of,  221;  character  of,  221. 

Loomis,  Prof.  John  C,  64. 

Macoupin  Settlement,  22. 

Malcolm,  Howard,  92,  108. 

Manning,  William,  52. 

Manual  labor:    at  Rock  Spring,  31;  at  Alton  College,  76. 

Maple,  Dr.  J.  C,  153,  288. 

Marsh,  Dr.  Ebenezer,  Sr. :   teacher  at  Rock  Spring,  41 ;  services 

of,  231. 
Marsh,  Dr.  E.,  Jr.:     appointed,  125;  goes  abroad,  129;  resigns, 

231 ;  labors  of,  232. 
Marshall  College,  97. 
Martha   Wood    Cottage :   proposed,   258 ;    built,    261 ;    described, 

261-2. 

Massachusetts   Bap.   Missionary  Society,  25,  26. 
Maxon,  Rev.  W.  B.,  100. 
McGilton,  Rev.  John,  99. 
McMasters,  Rev.  S.  Y.,  127,  128,  132. 
McPherson,  Hon.   William,  204. 
Medical  Department:  organized,  90;  its  policy,  91. 
Mercer,  Rev.  Jesse,  15. 
Mercer  University,  15,  97. 


INDEX.  349 

Merchant,  Prof.  F.  I. :    teaches  at  Shurtleff,  253 ;  later  years  of, 

254;  editor  "College  Review,"  254. 
Merrell,  Hon.  J.  W.,  203. 
Mills,  Charles  R,  258. 
Mills,  Henry  E.,  230,  255. 
Mills,  Miss  Ruth,  223. 
Ministerial  Aid  Societies,  190. 
Missions  denounced,  176. 
Missouri,  Theological  School  in :  plans  for,  195 ;  enthusiasm  for, 

196;  failure  of,  198. 
Mitchell,  Prof.  E.  C. :  as  agent,  147,  199;  appointed  a  professor, 

199;  success  as  agent,  204;  visits  abroad,  204;  his  return, 

205 ;  his  life,  207,  208. 
Mitchell,  Levi,  157. 

Modern  languages,  teaching  of,  in  1858,  139. 
Monmouth  College,  246. 
Moore,  Col.  John  E.,  144. 
Moore,  Major  Franklin,  144. 
Morrison,  Don,  41. 
Moxom,  Rev.  P.  S.,  D.  D.,  171. 
Mt.  Palatine  Academy,  118. 
Mueller  Doctrine,  167. 
Murray,  Chief  Justice  Hugh,  64. 
Museum,  gift  to,  169. 
Music    Department :    established,    249 ;    cause    of    establishment, 

260. 

New  Design  Church,  organized,  13. 

"New  Evangelism,"  A :   the  call  for,  304. 

Newell,   Rev.   I.   D. :     given  degree,   100 ;  appointed  agent,   105 ; 

his  success,  105;  he  resigns,  113. 
Newman,    Zenas   B. :    assistant   in  preparatory   school,   74,    186; 

principal,  79;  death  Qf,   102;  his  service,   102;  incumbent 

of  Shurtleff  professorship,  320. 
Newton  Theol.  Inst.,  27. 
Northern  Bap.  Education  Society,  53. 
Northwest  Territory,  12. 

Ohio :  use  of  public  funds,  25 ;  educational  beginnings  in,  78. 
Ohio  Bap.  Education  Society,  78. 
Oldest  living  graduate,  287. 


350  INDEX. 

Orations  at  chapel  service,  247-8. 

Oratorical  Association,  intercollegiate :  formed,  233 ;  Shurtleft 
excluded  from,  246. 

Palmer,  Gen.  John  M.,  64,  144. 

Palmer,  Rev.  Elihu  J. :  as  student,  64;  principal  of  preparatory 
dept.,  125;  objected  to,  128;  declines  to  vote  on  report, 
328. 

Parker,  Hon.  F.  W. :  life  and  work,  263 ;  address  at  Commence- 
ment, 291 ;  interest  in  alumni,  295. 

Parks,  Elder,   189. 

Pattison,  Prof.  R.  E. :  opposes  Band  of  Faith,  168;  his  resigna- 
tion, 168,  205;  call  to  Shurtleff,  201,  207;  his  life,  206; 
work  at  Shurtleff,  207. 

Pearson,  J.  L.,  254. 

Pease,  Capt.  C.  A.,  145. 

Peck,  John  Mason :  early  life,  13 ;  student  days,  14 ;  appointed 
a  missionary,  15;  zeal  for  education,  16;  journey  westward, 
17,  18;  establishes  school,  18;  visits  Upper  Alton,  20;  re- 
moves to  St.  Charles,  23 ;  appointed  missionary  at  large, 
25 ;  removes  to  Rock  Spring,  25 ;  visits  the  East,  26-28 ; 
establishes  Rock  Spring  Seminary,  29-32 ;  prepares  the 
buildings,  33,  34 ;  various  labors,  38 ;  pen  picture  of,  41,  42 ; 
conference  with  Dr.  Going,  43 ;  address  on  Education,  48 ; 
suggestions  for  agency  work,  61 ;  trip  to  the  East,  62 ;  his 
success,  67-69 ;  he  finds  Dr.  Shurtleff,  70 ;  his  return,  72 ; 
work  at  the  College,  73 ;  letter  to  Dr.  Going,  82 ;  proposes  a 
building,  85;  crosses  swords  with  Dr.  Perry,  96;  gives 
memorial  address,  106;  assails  financial  conditions,  126; 
attitude  on  Revision  question,  128 ;  attacks  the  "Chicago 
clique,"  130;  farewell  visit  to  the  College,  134;  opinion  of 
agents,  136;  the  preachers'  friend,  173;  favors  theological  in- 
struction, 174,  175,  187;  founds  theol.  dept.,  184. 

Peoria:  in  1819,  22;  Female  Seminary  in,  105,  119. 

Perpetual  scholarships,   158,  323. 

Perry,  Dr.  Gideon  B. :  head  of  medical  dept.,  90;  commencement 
address,  93 ;  causes  trouble,  93-96. 

Phillips,  Rev.  D.  L. :  appointed  agent,  113;  visits  Mr.  Peck,  130. 

Philomethian  Society,  99,  107. 

Physical  laboratory,  begun,  268. 


INDEX.  351 

Pierce,  Horace :  Dr.  Peck  writes  of,  135 ;  as  College  agent,  137 ; 

his  misdeeds,  137;  claims  for  salary,  137,  138. 
Pierson,  Clarinda,  39. 
Pierson,  David:  gift  of,  270;  death  of,  271. 
Pioneer  preachers:  in  Illinois,  36;  their  character,  172. 
Plan  for  a  University  outlined,  211. 
Pope,  Hon.  Nathaniel,  25,  40. 
Pope,  Major  General,  144. 
Pope,  Penelope,  40. 
Pope,  William,  40. 
Rowell,  Thomas,  100. 
Preachers :  itinerant,  172. 
President's  levee :  instituted,   101. 
Printing  office  at  College,  254. 
Professorships :  at  Rock  Spring,  31. 
Pro  rata  system  of  salaries,  272;  objection  to,  273. 
Property,  moved  from  Rock  Spring  to  Alton,  54. 
Prosperity   of    the    College:    in    1848-49,    106;    under    President 

Wood,    118;    at  close   of  Dr.    Read's  presidency,    160;   in 

1870,  213 ;  following  Jubilee  canvass,  242 ;  in  latest  years, 

298-300. 

Public  service,  and  the  small  college,  293. 
Pulliam  beneficiary  fund,  321. 

"Qui  Vive" :  established,  160 ;  its  success,  169 ;  loyal  to  College, 
223 ;  champions  College,  228. 

Ray,  Prof.  D.  G.,  292. 

Read,  President  Daniel :  accepts  presidency,  132 ;  visits  Dr. 
Peck,  134;  his  teaching,  139;  address  at  corner-stone  lay- 
ing, 154;  as  volunteer  agent,  156;  resigns,  161 ;  remains 
at  increased  salary,  162 ;  supports  Band  of  Faith,  167 ; 
resigns,  170;  later  years,  170;  advocates  theol.  instruction, 
198 ;  speaks  at  Jubilee,  237 ;  letter  from,  at  Bulkley  Jubilee, 
289. 

Reading  room,  169. 

"Record  of  God's  dealings  with  the  Band  of  Faith,"  164 ;  second 
number  of,  167. 

Reformation,    Protestant,    attacked,    176. 

Religious  awakening:  at  Rock  Spring,  39;  at  Alton  in  1837,  82; 
during  the  war,  145;  in  1873,  226-7;  m  spring  of  1876;  in 
1880,  245. 


352  INDEX. 

Religious  exercises  in  1850,  in;  in  1868,  169;  in  1880,  247. 

Religious  influence  of  the  small  College,  304. 

Removal  of  school  to  Upper  Alton  considered,  43-46. 

Repairs:  on  dormitory,  155-6;  on  buildings,  230,  279. 

Report  of  President  pro  tern  in  1850,  325. 

Resignation:    of  Professor  Leverett,  119;  of  entire  faculty,  127. 

Resolution :  commending  dormitory,  91 ;  concerning  degrees, 
100;  of  students  concerning  faculty  resignations,  127;  con- 
cerning needs  of  Seminary,  315 ;  concerning  presidency, 
322;  concerning  special  convention,  326. 

Resources  of  College  in  1850,  ^324. 

Restriction  on  theological   instruction   removed,   90. 

Rhoads,  Rev.  William,  296. 

Rice,  Luther,  14,  15. 

Richards,  Dr.  W.  C,  239. 

Richards,  J.  R.,  294. 

Rider,  William  H. :  a  student  at  Rock  Spring.  39;  his  account  of 
the  school,  39-42;  speaks  at  Jubilee,  238. 

Rider,  Justus,  39. 

Rider,  Prof.  R.  P.,  122. 

Rigby,  N.  L.,  161. 

Ripley,  Prof.,  27. 

Rival  schools  in  Illinois,  118. 

Roach,  E.  B. :  embassy  to  Rockford,  246. 

Roberts,  Mrs.  C.  B.,  288. 

Rock  Island  Seminary,  119. 

Rock  Spring :  in  1822,  25. 

Rock  Spring  Seminary :  organized,  29-32 ;  buildings  erected,  34 ; 
opened  for  students,  35;  its  work,  39;  its  teachers,  40;  its 
students,  40,  41 ;  its  difficulties,  42 ;  estimate  of  its  work, 
46,  47;  its  aims,  173. 

Roberts,  W.  S.,  218. 

Rochester  Theol.  Seminary,  229. 

Rodgers,  Col.  A.  R,  144. 

Rodgers.  Rev.  E. :  a  delegate  to  Missouri  Convention,   195. 

Roger  Williams  University,  208. 

Roll  call  at  Bulkley  Jubilee,  289. 

Roman  Catholics  attacked,  119. 

Room  rent,  charge  for,  121. 

Rooms:  for  Medical  Dept,  94. 

Rural  Park  Seminary  established,  159. 


INDEX.  353 

Russell,  John,  LL.D. :  principal  at  Rock  Spring,  42;  acting 
principal  at  Alton,  55;  his  life,  56;  principal  of  Carrollton 
Academy,  118;  speaks  on  Education,  196. 

Sage,  Dr.  E.  C,  287. 

Saint  Charles,  school  at,  23. 

Saint  Louis,  in  1817,  18;  University,  311. 

Salaries:  unpaid,  120;  increased,  125,  133,  147;  of  College  presi- 
dents, 162;  reduced,  242. 

Salary:  of  Mr.  Loomis  as  agent,  55;  as  principal,  59;  of  Mr. 
Peck  as  agent,  61 ;  of  Mr.  Colby,  74;  readjustment  of,  100; 
of  agent,  113;  of  Mr.  Lawson  as  agent,  120;  of  H.  L.  Field 
as  agent,  156;  of  Dr.  Read  increased,  162;  of  Mr.  Daniels 
as  agent,  200. 

Saloons  :  charter  provision  against,  143. 

Sawyer,  Benjamin  S.,  217. 

Scanland,  L.  H.,  238. 

Scholarships:  issued,  158;  endowment  oi,  322. 

School  in  St.  Louis,  18. 

Schools  in  Missouri  in  1818,  24. 

Science  laboratories  enlarged,  286. 

Sciences,  teaching  of,  in  1858,  139. 

Seventieth  anniversary  of  Shurtleff,  287-291. 

Shawneetown,  18. 

Sherwood,  President  Adiel :  elected,  92 ;  life  and  work,  97 ; 
salary  reduced,  100 ;  appeal  of,  for  loyalty,  101 ;  generous 
proposal  of,  102 ;  resigned,  103 ;  interest  in  College,  108 ; 
attends  Jubilee,  239. 

Shurtleff,  Dr.  Benjamin:  his  gift,  70;  his  life,  71. 

Shurtleff,  N.  B.,  71. 

Shurtleff  College :  name  suggested,  70. 

Shurtleff  College  Academy :  instituted,  282. 

Shurtleff  Fund,  82,  87,   112,  320-21. 

Sigma  Phi  Society:  victor  in  all  contests,  259. 

Small  colleges,  advantages  of,  142;  a  disadvantage  of  the,  293; 
future  of,  302-3. 

Smith,  Elder  James,  12. 

Smith,  Hon.  G.  A.,  122. 

Smith,  Major  J.  S.,  144. 

Smith,  Prof.  J.  Archy,  283. 


354  INDEX. 

Smith,  Rev.  J.  A.,  D.D. :  on  notification  committee,  127;  de- 
clines presidency,  130. 

Smith,  Robert  B.,  153. 

Smith,  W.  A. :  on  "Qui  Vive"  staff,  161 ;  life  since  graduation, 
171 ;  presides  at  banquet,  239. 

Society  of  Inquiry,  107. 

Sophomore  class:   the  largest,  300. 

Spalding,  C.   S.,  223. 

Spaulding,   Capt.  H.   S.,   144,  325. 

Springfield  Female  Institute,  118. 

Stacey,   George,  41. 

State  Universities,  growth  and  policy  of,  278-9. 

Staughton,  Dr.,  14,  15. 

Stedman,  Dr.  W.  H.,  218. 

Steenstra,  Dr.  P.  H. :  description  of  Shurtleff,  139;  visit  to  Dr. 
Peck,  140;  in  class  of  1858,  153. 

Stewart,  Prof.  T.  M.,  226,  231. 

Stifler,  Prof.  James :  on  committee  of  conference,  161 ;  appointed 
professor,  209 ;  resigns,  231 ;  labors  of,  232-3. 

Stow,  Dr.  Baron:  called  to  presidency,  76;  a  second  call,  81 ;  a 
third  call  planned,  203. 

Street,  Harlow,  144. 

Student  government,  243-5. 

Students :  at  Rock  Spring,  their  character,  37 ;  at  Alton  Semin- 
ary, 64. 

Sunday  chapel  talks,  224. 

Swartz,  Dr.   S.  E.,  285.    . 

Sweet,  Joel,  61. 

Teachers'  course:  instituted,  249. 

Teasdale,  J.  H.,  120. 

Teasdale,  Prof.  T.  C.,  118. 

Teasdale,  Rev.  John,  120. 

"The  Backwoodsman,"  56. 

Theological  instruction :  in  original  plan  of  the  School,  29,  30, 
32;  in  plan  of  Alton  Seminary,  48;  debarred  in  charter  of 
Alton  College,  65,  183;  restriction  on,  removed,  90;  history 
of,  at  Shurtleff,  172-209;  statement  of  principles  regarding, 
183;  Mr.  Peck's  zeal  for,  174,  175,  189;  letters  favoring, 
184;  students  of,  186;  in  danger,  194;  under  Dr.  Sher- 
wood, 197;  Dr.  Read  advocates,  198;  professorship  in, 

I 


INDEX.  355 

founded,   199;  bright  prospects  for,  201;  success  of,  202; 

new  friends  of,  204;  separation  of,  authorized,  204;  action 

rescinded,  205 ;   swift  decline  of,  205 ;  revival  of,  209 ;  in 

later  years,  209. 

Theological  seminary  for  two  states  proposed,   195. 
Theological  Society  formed,  160. 
"The  Pioneer  of  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,  38. 
Tilbe,    Harry    H. :     embassy    to    Rockford,    246 ;    principal    of 

Academy,  282. 
Todd,  T.  W.,  286. 
Tolman,  Dr.   Cyrus  F.,   122. 
Tolman,  Miss,  visits  Oberlin,   159. 
Tolman,  Rev.  J.  N.,  117. 
"Town  and  Gown,"  248-9. 
Trent,  L.  C,  299. 
Trible,  Capt.  John,  144. 
Tucker,  Rev.  Levi,  93. 
Tuition   fees :   at  the  Western   Mission   Academy,  9 ;   at  Alton 

Seminary,  59. 
Triennial  Convention,  115. 

Union  meeting  of  Baptists,  53. 
United  Society  for  Spread  of  the  Gospel,  38. 
University  of  Illinois,  growth  of,  278. 
University  of  Missouri,  170. 

Upper  Alton:  in  1819,  21,  22;  visited  by  Dr.  Peck  and  Dr.  Going, 
43 ;  advantages  for  a  school  site,  50 ;  relation  to  the  College, 

141. 

Upper  Alton  Baptist  Church :    its  debt  to  College  cancelled,  107 ; 
collection  for  College,  235. 

Vandevere,  Major  William,  144. 
Vicksburg,  152. 

Warren,  Dr.  J.  G.,  46. 
Washington  University,   169. 
Waterville  College,  206. 
Wayland,  Francis,  168. 
Wear,  David,  144. 

Welch,  James:  appointed  a  missionary,  15;  conducts  school  in 
St.  Louis,  23. 


356  INDEX. 

Western  Bap.  Educational  Association,  founded,  60. 

Western  Baptist  Theol.  Institute,  202. 

Western  Mission:  established,  6;  closed,  24. 

Western  Mission  Academy,   19. 

Weston,  Rev.  H.  G.,  105. 

White,  President  John  B.,  159. 

Whitney,  Prof.,  238. 

Whyte,  Prof.  J.  P.,  299. 

Wilderman,  J.  H.,  161. 

William  Jewell  College :  chartered,  79 ;  Dr.  Sherwood  and,  103 ; 

suspended,  146. 
Wilson,  Hon.  N.,  153. 

Women  of  State  furnish  dormitory  rooms,  261. 
Wood,  Hon.  Samuel :  gift  of,  261. 
Wood,  Rev.  N.  M.,  209. 
Wood,  President  Norman  N. :  becomes  president,  108 ;  life  and 

character,  114,  115;  his  severe  methods,  121;  trouble  with 

professors,  126;  resignation  of,  127. 
Wright,  Captain  W.  R.,  145. 
Wright,  Principal  C.  M.,  118. 
Wyman,  E.,  LL.D.,  233. 
Wyman,  H.  P.,  233. 

Yankees,   and   Kentuckians  compared,  60. 
Yeaman,  Dr.  W.  Pope :  lecture  by,  217. 
Young,  Rev.  J.  L.  M. :  address  at  dinner,  218. 


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